Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Words: parky, adj.

Christopher Hawtree
Friday 03 December 1999 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THERE IS distinct rivalry between Yorkshire towns. In urging Knaresborough's merits, the owner of the riverside Marigold cafe contrasted it with Harrogate "which up there, in this wind, will be right parky".

Knaresborough is a proper place, not a Woking, but parky, used all one's life, is elusive. Perhaps of Yorkshire origin, it surfaced in the last century, but there is no apparent link with the parky that means of a park (which comes from Old French and ousted parrock). Nor is there a connection with parka, that repellent item of clothing which, redolent of the Seventies, has been revived by the pop group Oasis and which in fact, as sported by Eskimoes, goes back to the 18th century and is from Russian for skin jacket.

But whence parky?

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in