whipsy-derry
Also whipsider(r)y, whipsey-derry.
[app. connected with whip n. 15 and derrick n.]
A contrivance for hoisting (esp. ore in shallow mines), consisting of a derrick with a ‘whip’ or simple pulley attached, and worked by a horse or horses. Also simply whipsy and whip and derry (whip n. 15).
| 1865 J. T. Tregellas Tales 146 (E.D.D.) ‘What is a whipsiderry, sir?’ said I. ‘A whipsiderry,’ said he, ‘es a thing for rising traade, 'tes a sort of whem.’ 1866 Thornbury Greatheart xxxiv, Two waggons, laden with..whipsidery pulleys, disjointed fragments of steam-engines, and miners' gads and crowbars. 1866 R. P. Whitworth Bailliere's S. Austral. Gazetteer 116 There are..2 double whipseys, and several single whipseys. 1875 J. H. Collins Metal Mining 76 With the ‘derrick’ or ‘whipsey-derry’ the cost will be a little more than with the horse-whim. |