The Yorkshire Historical Dictionary: a glossary of Yorkshire words 1120-c.1900 (YAHS/The Boydell Press, 2021)

Based on the late Dr George Redmonds’ lifetime collection of words found in documents related to Yorkshire, this two- volume publication has examples of words describing occupations/behaviours. Here are just a few:

Cadger A carrier or itinerant dealer, some acting as agents of local millers.

Entailer A skilled stone mason who could carve ornamental details such as gargoyles.

Gangrel A vagabond or wandering beggar.

Kirk maister A churchwarden, as in a term used in Tickhill in 1429 listing a payment.

Litster A dyer, believed to be the source of the surname Lister.

Marshal A farrier or smith, especially one who shoed horses and generally tended them.

Slaymaker Someone who made slays, the wooden board used in weaving to keep the threads straight and the weft compressed.

Tidesman A customs official who waited for ships as they came in with the tide and then boarded them to prevent any evasion of custom house dues.

Tippler A tavern keeper (rather than one of his customers).