Yesterday's shot of the signs at the Kings Arms pub encouraged me to look a little further around York for other interesting signs. I've never noticed this one before, although I am familiar with the pub. Most pub signs are fixed on brackets and project from the building, but this one is flat against the wall.
In 1983, local author Mark W. Jones created the word Snickelway in his book A Walk Around the Snickelways of York. It is a portmanteau of the words snicket, meaning a passageway between walls or fences, ginnel, a narrow passageway between or through buildings, and alleyway, a narrow street or lane. Although the word is a neologism, it quickly became part of the local vocabulary, and has even been used in official council documents, for example when giving notice of temporary footpath closures. The book is a fascinating tour of what were some of the less visited corners of the city centre. It became an unlikely best seller and has been revised and reprinted many times.
Sadly, the pub didn't get the name quite right, spelling it Snickleway rather than the original Snickelway. It is also not facing onto a Snickelway, but onto Goodramgate, a busy shopping street.
I used to take photos of all pub signs for an album (when we printed every photo) and looked up their meaning. So this is interesting and a good photo subject.
Beautiful shot and sign. Years ago before my retirement, a lady subordinate of mine who knew I loved and ever-wanted to visit York which I still haven't done, brought e a book with the same title, could be this one, which takes you around these old alleyways of York. I still have it and if ever I visit I will surely bring it with me as a guide.
I suspect that your expression 'snick' is a contraction of 'snicket', one of the words used to create the word 'snickelway'. Snicket is a common northern expression for a narrow passage or alley.
I think it will be the same book, or perhaps the expanded version with lots of photos (the original had sketches). Both books are a fascinating way of seeing many of the more hidden parts of the city centre.
Ian
November 21st, 2020
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Thank you all for your lovely comments and fav, they are very much appreciated.
The image on the sign is of a snickleway that runs beside the Snickelway pub.
Ian
I love the variety and history of these signs - they can teach us so much.
Ian
I suspect that your expression 'snick' is a contraction of 'snicket', one of the words used to create the word 'snickelway'. Snicket is a common northern expression for a narrow passage or alley.
Ian
I think it will be the same book, or perhaps the expanded version with lots of photos (the original had sketches). Both books are a fascinating way of seeing many of the more hidden parts of the city centre.
Ian