Sayings from Norway Maine

I met historian Peter A. Lenz at a street festival in Norway Maine and bought his book entitled "The Best of Lost & Forgotten Maine & New England Folk & Leterary Sayings, Expressions, & Terms." Here are some excerpts.

to Deacon
I want you to be sure to deacon them berries: you put the largest on top like we do with the apples...
an expression denoting cheating and packaging greed

Indignation Meeting
We're holdin' an indignation meetin' over at the courthouse this evenin' so to loudly object to lettin' them slavecathers in here to recapture their prey.
an old term for a protest rally of some sort

splorum
If they hadn't raised all that splorum at meetin' we'd a been spared some little misery.
a splurging; a great fuss or noise on slight occasion and with little effect

sog
It was heart-wrenching to see what a sog had come over her of late.
depression, lethargy

Loaves and Fishes
I tell you I'll find some way to stop all the loaves and fishes goin' on in this town!
with an ironic twist, this expression denotes the spoils, graft, bribes, favors, payola, and the like, of politicians

Smelling Committee
this unlikely term denotes those appointed to conduct an unpopular investigation

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