Popular Tales from the Norse Part 74

[35]

After all, there is, it seems, a Scottish word which answers to _Askepot_ to a hair. See Jamieson's _Dictionary_, where the reader will find _As.h.i.+epattle_ as used in Shetland for a 'neglected child'; and not in Shetland alone, but in Ayrs.h.i.+re, _Ashypet_, an adjective, or rather a substantive degraded to do the dirty work of an adjective, 'one employed in the lowest kitchen work'. See too the quotation, 'when I reached Mrs. Damask's house she was gone to bed, and n.o.body to let me in, dripping wet as I was, but an _ashypet_ la.s.sy, that helps her for a servant.'--_Steamboat_, p. 259. So again _a.s.siepet_, substantive 'a dirty little creature, one that is constantly soiled with _a.s.s_ or ashes'.

[36]

The Sagas contain many instances of Nors.e.m.e.n who sat thus idly over the fire, and were thence called _Kolbitr_, _coalbiters_, but who afterwards became mighty men.