Gàidhlig / English
Smuais

Smuais

Posted by Calum on 3rd October 2019
Recently we published a picture on facebook and twitter bout the word Smuaisleadh meaning “A lively reaction, e.g. someone quickly awakening from a deep sleep”. Perhaps this word has come from the word Smuais, meaning vigour, energy and pith. Smuais is recorded in Coigach, meaning the same thing, with an example of the word in the sentence “Tha mòran smuais ann” (He has a lot of energy [in him]). The word was recorded in Benbecula by the Reverend C. T. MacKenzie.

It was interesting to find this word on the website because I remembered something I read in the “The Peculiarities of Gaelic as spoken in the Writer’s District” by the Reverend Charles. M. Robertson, about Perthshire Gaelic. In the essay a’ moislich is recorded in Strathtay, meaning “to stir (out of sleep)”. It is interesting to note that the notes record “a’ smuaislich” too from Lewis. On our facebook page the Dr Donald Meek has written a message which highlights different versions of the word in Tiree with smuaisleachadh and smoisleachadh respectively. It is interesting to see how similar they are to moislich in Strathtay.

Caisleachadh is recoded by “Learngaelic.scot” as another word for smuaisleachadh. Dwelly has smoisleachadh, moisleachadh and mosgladh in the faclair beag. In the Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language by Alexander MacBain the word mosgail is included, meaning “awaken, arouse”, that’s very close to moislich and smoisleachadh.

Caraich is in the book “Bho Chluaidh gu Calasraid” by Michael Newton and sguch is recorded by the Professor Nancy Dorian in “East Sutherland Gaelic”, meaning “move, stir”. This word is recorded in MacBain’s dictionary, meaning “sprain, strain a joint” and “spring”. Although the word isn’t connected with smuaisleach, or sguch, the word raghaidh is recorded by Dorian, meaning “a knock to wake someone up in the morning”! Perhaps the folk of Easter Ross and Sutherland were very heavy sleepers!

Do you know any of the words and phrases above? Let us know on facebook, twitter and facebook, twitter and our website!

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