Gàidhlig / English
Geodail

Geodail

Posted by Kate on Thursday 16th February
We are all partial to a bit of gossip from time to time. The word of the week is geodail and describes just this: meaningless prattle! This word was recorded in South Uist, and makes reference to putting out malicious rumours when one decides to ‘geodail.’ Perhaps you might hear the following phrase: “nach ann ort a tha a gheodail bruidhne!” or “Aren’t you full of the gossip!”
 
Dwelly’s dictionary informs us that flattery or beulachas is involved in every gossip’s, or goileam’s deception. If you don’t think that highly of yourself, perhaps you’d recognise that they’re hardly genuine, “nach eil iad ach a’ sgleip.” But a sly character will recognise vanity in you instantly and use it to their advantage!
 
You have to be pretty nosey, or feranadach to want to take part in gossip. It dosesn’t matter if you are ag goileam, or a’ sguan; or even if you are simply silently listening to the gabhann, or to the sgudal. Sgudal, consequently means rubbish!
 
The word suainsean was used in Strathglass to describe the same thing. Even though this word is unlike many of the others in the above series, I believe it might be connected to the verb ‘suaineadh,’ meaning to twist, envelope or wreathe round. This gives you an idea of how someone might twist the story in order to bring more enjoyment to the listener!
 
If you have any further information, perhaps a phrase or story connected to geodail, please get in touch on Facebook or Twitter.
 
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