Kerosene lamp

noun KE-ro-seen lamp

Also spelled oil lamp

A kerosene (paraffin) oil lamp — the wick-and-globe lamp that lit homes before and beyond rural electrification, and still stands ready when the current cuts. It burns 'kerosene ile' up a cloth wick, its flame trimmed and shielded by a glass 'globe' or chimney. A homemade tin version is the 'kitchen bitch'. A fixture of country evenings and blackouts.

  • Light di kerosene lamp, di current gaan.

    Light the kerosene lamp — the power's out.

  • Trim di wick so di lamp nuh smoke.

    Trim the wick so the lamp doesn't smoke.

  • Wi did do homework by kerosene lamp.

    We used to do homework by kerosene lamp.

English 'kerosene lamp'. See [[wick]], [[lamp-globe]].

Wick-and-globe oil lamp; still used in blackouts. Tin homemade version = 'kitchen bitch'.