dieter n also diter. Cp OED ~ b obs (1603, 1617 quots) for sense 1.
   1 (a) One who receives winter board and accommodation against the promise of cash or service in the next fishing season; (b) one engaged, in return for board, in the preparatory work of the fishing season; cp COLLAR 3. Also attrib.
   [1789] 1895 PROWSE 695 No. of inhabitants: Dieters 1,378. [1789] 1954 INNIS 310 In 1789 a proclamation was issued 'against fishermen coming from the out harbours to winter at St John's. . .' Any person during the winter season harboring or entertaining 'dieters' was subject to deportation. 1793 Report on Nfld Trade Appendix. Dieters. Men who remain in the Island during the winter (living upon their Summers wages) without engaging as Winter Servants. [1794] 1968 THOMAS 172 Some of these poor Fellows are less fortunate. They are forc'd to become Dieters [boarders] with some Housekeeper, for which they promize to Fish for them the next season or pay them in cash at the next Fall. T 36/8-64 When the tenth of October [would) come the voyage was over, fish was sold an' the collar was taken off an' every man was at liberty. Whoever had homes then would go to them, an' Ithosel who had no homes [would] go back with the same man, or he'd ship with someone else; an' then he was a dieter. P 191-67 When the spring came those who had cod traps would ship a few men for the fishing voyage. The men would be called dieters because the man who shipped them would have to feed them for a few months. 1978 Evening Telegram 9 Sep, p. 14 'What was their diter walls?' 'That's the rock walls they had around their property. They were made by men who left their ships... They weren't paid any money, just given their bed and diet, as meals were called in them times.'
   2 Prov phr out dogs and in dieters.
   1895 Christmas Review 12 ~ (an old proverb of the youngsters' days, signifying the return of the fishermen to their winter houses, of which the dogs had possession during the summer). 1937 DEVINE 62 ~ Slogan for the first of May to get ready for fishing preparations. The dogs were useful all the Winter in hauling firewood and roomstuff and were well and regularly fed at the cookrooms. Now they must go at large and forage for themselves while the Summer crews of fishermen are shipped on for the voyage and their meals supplied at the cookroom. P 108-68 One time when a mother was hurrying her children from the table after a meal, so that she could set it again for the grown-ups, she said 'Out dogs, and in diters!'
   The man who brags with dieter's knees, / Is not the first to face the breeze (1895 Christmas Review 12).

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