Spell Someone Off

Sylvia in Bismarck, North Dakota, has fond memories of churning homemade ice cream with her family. When one family member offers to take over the task from another, they might say Want me to spell you? or Want me to spell you off? Both these phrases have their origin in Old English spelian meaning “to substitute for” or “take the place of.” In the 16th century, the verb spell could mean “to work temporarily in order to give someone else a rest.” The idea of taking turns at a job was sometimes expressed as working spell and spell or working spell for spell. A similar notion appears in the use of spell to mean “a period of time,” as in sit a spell or having a dry spell or a spell of good weather. This is part of a complete episode.