sign n Cp OED ~ sb 7 'a token or indication'; DAE 1 b (1804-) for sense 1; JOYCE 323 for sense 3; EDD 2 (2) signs on it Ir, JOYCE 323 for phr in sense 4.
1 Evidence of the recent presence of an animal.
[1771] 1792 CARTWRIGHT i, 131 We saw but few signs of deer or black-bears; nor were there any vestiges of Indians. 1868 WHITE MS Journal 23 Apr 52 Men on ice returned no Sign of Seals. 1924 ENGLAND 320 ~ Indication of seals. 1968 DILLON 153 You'd never see a sign on 'im. 1972 BROWN 46 By March 26, there was just a 'sign' of seals. Scouting groups brought in fifteen pelts that day. P 13-74 A hunter might complain about the scarcity of rabbit-sign.
2 Quantity, number or amount of fish; appearance of migrating fish in coastal waters.
[1832] 1981 Them Days vi (4), p. 38 [Two seines out] ... there appeard to be some signs this evening. 1895 J A Folklore viii, 35 This I have no doubt originated in the use of the term on the fishing grounds in something of its proper meaning. When, on reaching them and seeking spots where the fish were to be found, they first caught some, it afforded a sign of their presence... When they caught them in greater abundance, they spoke of it as 'a good sign of fish.' 1920 WALDO 161-2 'Poor sign fish' means that fish are scarce. 1921 FPU (Twillingate) Minutes 24 Feb In reference to trap berths [the letter recommended] leader and moorings on the rock instead of in the water until sign of fish. [1929] 1933 GREENLEAF (ed) 251 "Change Islands Song": The sign of fish got better, they thought it would be thick, / And they'd get it a great deal quicker, if they anchored in the Creek. 1936 SMITH 130 The ice cleared away on the 20th, and there was a sign of fish; all hands then set the traps, but the fish was not so plentiful. 1937 DEVINE 45 Sign of fish. Nothing is more indirect than the ways of using this expression. A crew, just returned from quickly loading a boat where there was in fact plenty of fish to be caught, may report, 'Oh, yes, there was a nice sign of fish.' 1976 Evening Telegram 10 May, p. 4 A lobster fisherman in Manuels says there is 'a good sign of lobsters' this season. 1980 Evening Telegram 18 June, p. 6 Reports from around the province indicate few signs of cod, perhaps because the cod follow the caplin and the caplin haven't shown up yet, except on the Burin peninsula.
3 Portion of food; a small serving or quantity.
1895 J A Folklore viii, 35 One at table, being asked if he would have any more of a dish, replied 'Just a sign.' 1937 DEVINE 45 'Give me a sign of pudding,' might mean a plate full. C 70-10 An old gentleman told me recently a cure he said was sure for boils. You would just take a sign of soft soap and black molasses in the palm of your hand and mix it up. This mixture you would put on the boil by means of a cloth, to keep it in place. C 75-145 ~ Refers to a small quantity of tobacco, food, etc.
4 Phr signs on, so signs: consequently.
1968 DILLON 153 He bet the divil for the drink, signs on, he lived no time... She always tended on 'em hand and foot, so signs, they can't do a hand's turn for themselves. P 108-70 He was out late last night, and so signs he's sleepy this morning. 1979 Evening Telegram 9 June, p. 17 ... now with himself all [asquish], so signs I got a brand new shirt and drawers up in the bottom drawer if he stops his wind [dies]. 1981 ibid 18 July, p. 10 So signs, when I die, all my close relatives will have a pot or two [of Southside Hills' clay] to pass on down to posterity.
