He is driving his hogs over Swarston-bridge.

This is a saying used in Derbyshire, when a man snores in his sleep. Swarston-bridge (or bridges, for there are several of them one after another) is very long, and not very wide, which causes the hogs to be crowded together; in which situation they always make a loud grunting noise.

Entry taken from Provincial Glossary, edited by Francis Grose.

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Cumberland
Skiddaw, Lauvellin and Casticand

Derbyshire
He is driving his hogs over Swarston-bridge
He comes from the Devil’s A—se at Peak
Elden-hole wants filling

Devonshire
To Denshire; i.e. to Devonshire land

Nearby

Derbyshire in Nuttal Encyclopædia

Antique pictures from Derbyshire