verb - to furtle

[Pompeylottie]

I help run the allotment shop and sold quite a few seed potatoes to workmates, hence now we're talking alot about furtling!

When someone asked what it meant, I looked it up on the web. Apparently it means feeling about for small objects i.e. stop furtling that scab, it'll fall off, same meaning as furtling for potatoes I suppose.
However, it also means a bizarre practice involving pictures of people cut out from magazines with holes cut in relevant places, no further details appropriate here!

So if you get any funny looks when telling someone you furtled for potatoes, you know why!

[terrier]

Furtle
An English term from the 18th century.

To draw a picture of a woman and cut a hole for legs, and make legs with your fingers to make it look as if she is line dancing.

(from the Urban Dictionary) I didn't know they had line dancing in the 18th century!

[Pompeylottie]

there's another meaning of what you do with the holes!!
I must have lived a sheltered life!

[Hilary B]

Furtle
An English term from the 18th century.

To draw a picture of a woman and cut a hole for legs, and make legs with your fingers to make it look as if she is line dancing.

(from the Urban Dictionary) I didn't know they had line dancing in the 18th century!

The can-can!

[dexterdoglancashire]

I never knew what it meant! I use the term quite often, to me, "to fertle" means to have a root around/search for something. Now I know different!

[maytreefrannie]

I learned this term from the Vine - I hadn't heard it before. Now I find I use it quite a bit in my mind - when I look at my potato bins I'm thinking, is it time for a furtle yet?

[MrsC]

An interesting verb, but what adverb would you use with it?

[terrier]

An interesting verb, but what adverb would you use with it?

Depends to what extent one would like to furtle

[MrsC]

Depends to what extent one would like to furtle

or what you're furtling maybe?

[coreopsis]

I help run the allotment shop and sold quite a few seed potatoes to workmates, hence now we're talking alot about furtling!

When someone asked what it meant, I looked it up on the web. Apparently it means feeling about for small objects i.e. stop furtling that scab, it'll fall off, same meaning as furtling for potatoes I suppose.
However, it also means a bizarre practice involving pictures of people cut out from magazines with holes cut in relevant places, no further details appropriate here!

So if you get any funny looks when telling someone you furtled for potatoes, you know why!

I had to google it as well,my dictionary didn't have this word.I had the same result as you.
When I spoke to OH and told him about furtling,he was a bit suspicious.
Unfortunately there's no furtle for me-everytime I mention furtling my tatties,OH says "NO FURTLING till they're ready"-by "ready" he means September,October.I just have to be patient...

[maytreefrannie]

An interesting verb, but what adverb would you use with it?

Furtle hopefully?

Furtle enthusiastically?

Furtle secretly?

Furtle jointly?


As you said, MrsC, it depends on the object of the furtle.

[dammad49]

I thought that was what went on in the back row of the cinema. lots of furtive furtling. And I've just added it to my PC dictionary 'cos it keeps saying I spelt it wrong

[burnie]

It was always a "furkle",rather than a furtle when I were a lad

[bubblewrap]

Furtle hopefully?

Furtle enthusiastically?

Furtle secretly?

Furtle jointly?


As you said, MrsC, it depends on the object of the furtle.

Furtle with intent.

[maytreefrannie]

Furtle with intent.

That's the best one.