Name of a fishing town on the coast of Norfolk: used attrib. in Yarmouth bloater (also transf. a native of Yarmouth), † capon, † coach (see quots.), herring. Hence Yarmouthian, a. belonging to Yarmouth; sb. an inhabitant of Yarmouth.
1614. T. Gentleman, England’s Way, 15. The Hollanders be very welcome guests vnto the Yermothian Herring-buyers. Ibid., 26. These Hollanders be Hosted with the Layestof men, as they be with the Yermothians.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Norfolk (1662), II. 248. A Yarmouth Capon. That is a red-herring.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Yarmouth-Coach, a sorry low Cart to ride on, drawn by one Horse. Yarmouth Pie, made of Herrings, highly Spic’d, and Presented by the City of Norwich (upon the forfeiture of their Charter) annually to the King.
1732. MSS. Dk. Portland (Hist. MSS. Comm.), VI. 153. These machines, which now in merriment are called Yarmouth coaches…. They are something of the nature of a sledge, as at Bristol, with one horse.
1832. Yarmouth bloaters [see BLOATER].
1850. Dickens, Dav. Copp., iii. Peggotty said … that … she was proud to call herself a Yarmouth Bloater.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Yarmouth herring-boat, a clincher-built vessel with lug-sails, similar to the drift or mackerel boats.
