DASG Blog

Ceannadach

I’ve come to appreciate hats or ceannadach [headgear – from ceann + aodach] a lot more in recent years due to the tragedy that is male pattern baldness, so I’ve delved into the ‘Faclan bhon t-Sluagh’ archive for some hat-related banter.
 
The appeal of a good hat isn’t just as a fashion accessory or to cover my shame. The winter just past was my first without the added protection of the little hair that remained, having opted for the shaved-head look, and a bioraid [a woolen hat] was essential in order to save my poor exposed ears. So, I got a new one and did away with my crùsgan [a shapeless, baggy hat] as it had become a bit of a sgrogag or sgrogaid [old battered hat], exposing my vulnerable noggin.
 
And now with this scorching heat-wave, I’ve had to transition to a currachd/curruchd or ceap/ceip/cèip [cap] to guard against the assualt of the sun’s rays. Admittedly, this cap is in a bit of state too, but that allows me to introduce the words sgliugach which would describe a tattered cap losing its shape with the peak beginning to come down over the eyes. Such a cap could be called a sgruigean in its noun form. Maybe I could spruce it up with some flèirich, [decorative edge embroidery on a hat] though this might be more apporpriate for women’s or children’s hats – maybe on a muist [white muslin cap with frills].
 
But the pracitcal benefits of hats aren’t confined to them being on your head – oh no. Where there’s a hat, there’s game. Or two games, at least... Recorded in Kildonan, South Uist, sùil-cheap is a guessing game which involves hiding something in a cap and others having to guess what the object was.
 
If that doesn’t get you bouncing for joy, then try this one recorded in Skye. Cleas nan cip involves laying a cap upside down on the ground. The player walks several paces back and tries to put the ball into the cap and, if he misses, he has to put his hand up against a wall, his cap cushioning his hand, while the rest of the players would bombard it with the ball(s). This resembles a game still circulating in today’s playgrounds, albeit with the punishment being doled out on a different part of the anatomy.
 
Maybe these games would lead to heated arguments where you could then say “bha iad ann am mullach nan ad” [literally – they were in the top of their hats]. Or, next time you’re walking in the streets and you come across a friend’s doppelgänger/look-alike, you could say of them “tha iad dìreach anns na h-adaibh”.
 
So, let this post be an encouragement and consollation to the follically challenged and those fearing the worst – you can always wear some cool hats.
 
If you know of any other hat-related words, sayings, or games, please send them in to us:
 
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