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What does it mean by "pitch down" in this context? (from Charlotte's Web)
The barn was very large. It smelled of grain and of rubber boots and of new rope. But mostly it smelled of hay, for there was always hay in the great loft up overhead. And there was always hay being **pitched down** to the cows and horses and the sheep.
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I'm not sure about the meaning of the verb, "pitch" here especially because it has lots of meanings in the dictionary.
Does it imply the hay was "**falling down** from the top to the animals" since the verb was used with "down" after it?
Jan 19, 2020 4:48 PM
Answers · 6
4
The word pitch has many meanings in English. In this context it means "to throw".
In baseball, the player who throws the ball at the batter is called the "pitcher".
"Pitch another log on the fire, I'm cold" - means to throw another log onto the fire.
As Ana says, a "pitchfork" is used to throw hay around.
Hay which is being "pitched down" is hay that is being thrown down from the hayloft onto the barn floor. The person who is doing this is probably using a pitchfork!
January 19, 2020
1
"Pitch" can often have the meaning of "throw." In the game of baseball, the player who throws the ball is "the pitcher." We say he "pitches" the ball. And the act itself, the noun form, is "a pitch."
"Pitch" carries the idea of throwing something hard, strongly, with energy.
The word does not come from farming, but pitching hay is a common farming chore. Hay is dried grass used to feed cattle. Large amounts need to be moved. "Pitch" is the customary word. The tool used for the job is "pitchfork," and it looks like a giant fork that is as big as a shovel.
January 19, 2020
1
Pitch down its a phrasal verb used in this context as throw
January 19, 2020
I believe this verb pitch has been created because of the type of fork used to pick up the hay (a pitchfork). The hay is thrown down below using the pitchfork. Google "Three-Tine Hay Pitchfork" to see the style.
January 19, 2020
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yujini
Language Skills
English, Korean
Learning Language
English
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