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Hello, Ros.
Actually, yes, I did know about literally pouring oil on troubled waters!
The surface tension of the oil would help calm the rough sea (acting like a thin skin)
This is obviously where the saying comes from - maybe Rusty can confirm that by looking in his new Idioms book?
Did you order "Snakes and Ladders"? My youngest grandson (aged 3) wanted to play it when he visited on Thursday . He did very well - counting the squares and moving his counter. No help needed! He also won!

Hi elle
I have been clearing out some boxes in the loft and have come across a lot of books which I cannot remember putting there but I found an old copy of Newnes dictionary of dates and anniversaries,it is wonderful and may come in useful for X words.There has been crashing and curses from the kitchen as husband removes old machine and the floor is wet again.

Hi, doglet!
The dictionary sounds like a good redicscovery! I hope you enjoy browsing through it. I'm enjoying going through my new Brewers.
I would have thought that the delivery men bringing your new dishwasher would have removed the old one for you? it must be difficult for your husband to shift it on his own?
I bet you're looking forward to being relieved of dishwashing duties- or have got your husband doing that?!
We've never had a dishwater- funnily enough, it isn't something I've ever felt the need of having. I don't mind doing the washing up.

Rusty, I've checked my Scots school dictionary and also the Online Scots Dictionary and neither of them have 'pike' meaning to sneak a look. We will all have to use the word more often so that it passes into common usage - and then it will get an official mention.

Hello, Elle!
Have you ventured out again?

Oil on troubled waters!
No. My books are not helpful.
My idioms book mentions Pliny (who?) and Brewers mentions Bede, and a vial of oil, but nothing approaching a reasonable answer.
I do not have a dishwasher, too.

Hi elle

The delivery man will only take the old machine if is outside the house so we didnt have much option but to move it,he has a porters barrow which was very useful..My dog rescue friend has just told me that have taken in 20+ minature poodles!!!! Glad I dont live so close anymore,they look very sweet and I think they are hoping people will take 2

Malone, this is the nearest I can get to the meaning of "piking" in my local slang/dialect.
From Collins Dictionary.
Pike. British slang.
The practice of deriving sexual pleasure from watching strangers have sex in parked cars and other secluded but public places.

Time to forget it, I think!
Hope Elle's travelling people move on soon!

Hi rusty

I thought sex in a public place was called dogging

I'll take your word for that, Doglet.

Hi, Rusty!
Now, oil on troubled waters......
My 'old' Brewers strangely enough offers answers......it isn't in my 'new' one! (another reason for maybe keeping both volumes?)
There is too much to include it all, but briefly....."To pour oil on troubled waters "is to soothe the troubled spirit."
The origin of the phrase is mentioned by the Venerable Bede (you mentioned him?).
St Aidan gave his blessing to a young priest who was to set out by land , but return by water, to convoy a young maiden to be the bride of King Oswin or Oswy.
St Aidan gave the young man a cruse of oil to pour on the sea if the waves became stormy.
A storm did arise, and the young priest ,by pouring oil on the waves, did in fact reduce them to a calm.
Bede says that he had this story from "a most creditable man in Holy Orders."
But St. Aidan died in 694, and Bede died in 735??!
You also mentioned Pliny? Where does he fit in?