E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Nurr and Spell
or Knor and Spill. A game resembling trapball, and played with a wooden ball called a nurr or knor. The ball is released by means of a spring from a little brass cup at the end of a tongue of steel called a spell or spill. After the player has touched the spring, the ball flies into the air, and is struck with a bat. In scoring, the distances are reckoned by the score feet, previously marked off by a Gunter’s chain. The game is played frequently in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
