A Gill or Ghyll is a ravine or narrow valley in the North of England and other parts of the United Kingdom. The word originates from the Old Norse Gil.[1] Examples include Dufton Ghyll Wood, Dungeon Ghyll, Troller's Gill and Trow Ghyll. As a related usage, Gaping Gill is the name of a cave, not the associated stream, and Cowgill, Masongill and Halton Gill are derived names of villages.[2]
The stream flowing through a Gill is often referred to as a Beck: for example in Swaledale, Gunnerside Beck flows through Gunnerside Ghyll. Beck is also used as a more general term for streams in the north of England – examples include Ais Gill Beck and Arkle Beck. In the North Pennines, the word Sike or Syke[3] is found in similar circumstances. This is particularly common in the Appleby Fells area where sikes significantly outnumber the becks and gills; it can also be seen in the name of Eden Sike Cave in Mallerstang.
In the High Weald Gills are deeply cut ravines, usually with a stream in the base which historically eroded the ravine. These Gills may be up to 200 ft (60 metres) deep, which represents a significant physiographic feature in lowland England.[4]
References / notes
- Gill (ravine). Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia. Accessed 5 November, 2017.
- ↑ Anderson, G. K. (1938). "Two Ballads from Nineteenth Century Ohio". The Journal of American Folklore. 51 (199): 38–46. doi:10.2307/535942. "I suggest-and it is only a tentative suggestion-that "g(u)ile" is "gill," spelled by Wordsworth "ghyll," a ravine or valley inclosing a small water-course."
- ↑ Daelnet placenames index, accessed 1 April 2012
- ↑ "The earthworks and keep, Appleby Castle" (PDF).
- ↑ Rose F & Patmore J M (1997) "Weald Gill Woodlands"
Glossary of words and phrases
The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
Browse other terms: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z