Off or nigh
Posted by rebecca at 2007-03-28 11:42:33
Can someone tell me which ox is the off and which ox is the nigh when you're standing behind them. No matter how hard I try to learn this I can't remember.
Response by Gary at 2007-03-28 17:34:01
I believe that if you are standing on the left side of the oxen, the left oxen (the oxen closest to you) is the nigh (near) and the right oxen is the off.
Response by Dennis at 2007-03-28 17:58:35
You don't stand behind them. You stand or walk alongside of them. (Usually you are to the left of the team.) Put out your right hand and you will touch the NIGH or near ox. The other one, the one you cannot reach, is the off ox.
Response by Daren at 2007-03-28 19:25:28
It is easier to remember that the left side is always the near or "nigh" and the right side is always the far or "off" side. Whether it is a single animal or multiple animals. And always the way they are headed or "front."
Response by Jonathan Shively at 2007-03-29 00:04:00
Doesn't matter if it is riding horse, team of mules, horses, donkeys or oxen. The side you work from the most or generally mount the wagon or saddle from is the left side. This is the near or nigh side. The side you generally have to walk around something to get to is the off side, which is the right side. Doesn't matter if it is the right side of the saddle or right side of the right-hand animal of the team. Near or nigh, the side closest at hand, left side. Off side, side farthest away, right side.
Response by mgb at 2007-03-29 09:35:12
Reminds me of the old saying, "I wouldn't know him from Adam's off ox."
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