Vocabulary
Could some one tell me the definition to "Chickabee"?
shareguess so long lil sis
share
MovieChat Forums > Nell (1994) Discussion > Vocabulary
I guess it's something like "darling" or "sweetheart" because it's often used in sentences like "nay kay chickabee" which is"don't cry...." and "missa...." which is"little....."
shareI'd guess it's a term of endearment..."chickabee" sounds a lot like "chickapea", which is used quite a lot as a substitution for "dear" or "sweetie" etc in rural communities. Missa Chickabee is most likely "little miss chickpea".
sharedoes anyone have a transcription of all Nell's speeches?? That would be nice to check if there is really a language behind all sounds and strange noises she makes...
tks anyway...
A
It is explained somewhat in the film itself, and again in the "special features" on the DVD that it is a combination of "private" words and attenuated real words - the consonants in the main being omitted, due I think to the fact that the mother had had a stroke and could not, herself pronounce words in their entirety. As a result, she unwhittingly 'taught' her daughter this clumsy combination of sounds - at least, clumsy to us, probably not for them.
The DVD also gives you an entire list of the vocabulary and its meanings, so if you are interested it would be well-worth the hire of the DVD to obtain the list. But hey, its only a film *winks* *smile*.
I can't find any vocabulary on my DVD. Are there different versions available or something?
shareAka Chickadee
southern term of affection- my little chickadee- like a baby chicken that's so cute you have to snuggle it.
[deleted]
Jerry (Liam Neeson) translates "chickabee" during the trial as "loved one" at the end of the movie
shareChickabee is a derivative of chickabiddy, a common term of endearment in New England and some parts of Appalachia. Obviously it was not used in Nell's part of North Carolina or Paula and Jerry would have heard it before.
Nell uses chicka by itself to mean dear or beloved. She calls her sister "Chicka May", and says "chicka so" in her statement at the hearing. "So" is soul, an old-fashioned way of saying person, so chicka so would be dear souls or loved ones.
chickabiddy is not a New England term. Lived here all my life- never heard it. I've asked, as I've seen you post this theory more than once - and response from friends and family is a resounding "no".
Chickadee, yes - chickabiddy - never heard of before reading your posts
www.rockmaven.com
www.zazzle.com/KRWDesigns*