splitting vbl n also spilting. For combs. in sense 2: DC ~ cuff Nfld (1965); DAE ~ knife (1634-).
1 In processing cod-fish, slicing of the backbone between nape and vent, opening the fish for salting and drying.
1819 ANSPACH 432 This process of splitting is performed with considerable rapidity, though with the utmost care, because the value of the fish depends in a material degree upon its being correctly performed: for if ruffled by frequent or interrupted cuttings, the fish would be disfigured. T 43-64 Well, that was the guttin' an' the splittin', and then 'twould be washed.
2 Designating var garments, esp hand coverings, used when splitting cod-fish: splitting cuff [see CUFF1], ~ glove, ~ mitt [see MITT]; ~ pants.
1965 LEACH 5 On his left hand the splitter wears a 'splittin' cuff,' a kind of fingerless wool mitten. 1612 Willoughby Papers l6a/18 One yeard of cloth for spilting gloves. T 26-643 When he was goin' on the Labrador I'd have twelve, fifteen an' sixteen splittin' mitts for un. 1972 MURRAY 107-8 One of the first items a girl would be expected to knit (after learning 'garter stitch,' i.e. plain knitting, on a head band or garters) was a pair of long stockings for herself, or, she might do a 'splitting mitt' for her father. P 118-67 Well, he put on his splitting pants [rubber trousers].
3 Comb splitting knife: knife with a short, curved blade used to cut around the backbone of a cod-fish.
1612 Willoughby Papers l6a/18 [Guy's Journal, 13 Oct] And comming togeather the foremoste of them presented unto him a chaine of leather full of small perreincle shelles, a spilting knife [etc]. [1622] 1954 INNIS 58 [inventory] Heading and splitting knives £1/5. 1863 Journ of Assembly 444 The cure of Fish ... may be much improved, by washing it immediately after it passes from the splitting-knife, and salting it while fresh. 1905 DUNCAN 156 'The splittin' knife slipped,' he said, feeling of the scar on her wrist. T 185-65 Somebody told me one time that he builded a boat with the splittin' knife; cut out all the timbers with a splittin' knife. 1969 HORWOOD 82 You split [the fish] open on a wooden table with a splitting knife—a curved, square-ended, exceedingly sharp instrument a little like a cobbling knife—taking out the guts and a large piece of bone with a single sweep, and push them off the table into a barrel or tub to be taken to the salting shed. 1971 NOSEWORTHY 247 ~ A knife with a blade curved like a half-moon, with both left and right handed types, used to take the sound-bones out of fish. 1978 Evening Telegram 11 Mar, p. 3 On the evening following a new candidate's declaration to stand for election he should be taken down behind a fish store and a splitting knife held to his throat.
splitting stage: section of fishing premises where fish is processed; STAGE (Q 67-43).
splitting table: table in a fishing stage where cod or salmon are processed before salting and drying.
1842 JUKES ii, 127 ~ A table on which the salmon are split, previously to their being salted. 1852 Morning Post 12 Feb, p. 2 Mr Rowe, then, studied his law at the 'splitting' table. (Laughter) Yes, that hon. Executive Councillor cut throats in his time. 1866 WILSON 205 Entering the stage from the stage-head, we first see the splitting-table. This is usually on the right hand. [1890] P 102-60 Previous to 1890 ... the S.S. Nimrod and S.S. Diana [sealing vessels] would be at Blanc Sablon for the summer and if a poor fishery around the first of August would be fitted with cod traps, boats, splitting tables, etc, and a number of fishery servants with sufficient supplies for a month or two. T 43-64 There'd be what they call a cut-throat an' a header an' two splitters, an' possibly you'd have a girl or a woman or somebody keepin' the fish box full, to the end of the splittin' table. C 68-17 Fishermen believe it is unlucky to play cards on a splitting table. 1977 BURSEY 167 I had made large pounds to take heavy salted fish, and a splitting table thirty feet long.
splitting tee: see splitting stage; TEE.
1972 MURRAY 242-3 Bringing approximately 200 pounds of fish at a time in a 'tub-bar' from the 'stagehead' (the wharf onto which the fish were thrown from the boat) to the 'splitting tee.'
splitting tub: see TUB.
