-
Chaidh a’ chreag na faireachadh
-
this would be said in connection with people looking for a dog straying among sheep. When the owner of the dog heard of such a party, he kept the dog at home, hence “Chaidh a chreag na faireachadh.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
Commands given to a sheep-dog
-
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
Commands given to a sheep-dog
-
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
Cuir a mach iad
-
‘Put them out’ (command [given to a sheep-dog]).
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
Cuir air falbh iad
-
‘Send them away’ (command [given to a sheep-dog]).
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
Falbh rompa
-
[command given to a sheep-dog.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
Laigh seachad
-
[command given to a sheep-dog.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
Na bidh gun chù, ’s na beathaich cuillain
-
in other words buy a dog that is old enough to work.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
Seas a mach hal
-
[sic] [command given to a sheep-dog.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
Thig gu mo shail
-
‘Come to my heel’ (command [given to a sheep-dog]).
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
Tig a stidh lair rem cosh
-
[sic] [command given to a sheep-dog.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
[antiseptics]
-
Note 8 (series): Antiseptics. 1. A cut being licked by a dog, that is letting the dog lick the cut with his tongue meant an antiseptic method. 2. Epsom salts – washed in or with water in which Epsom salts is diluted – the cut. 3. Hot water as hot as the patient could bear. 4. Coarse salt diluted in water, hot or cold, was used as a mouthwash in connection with decayed teeth, etc. 5. Tar smoke, or smoke from burning tar, coal tar or archangel tar, whiffs from it if inhaled lightly were a relief for bronchitis, congestion, catarrh. 6. Whisky and brandy were used as stimulants. As in faints. Rum and raw eggs, rum mixed with beaten raw eggs served as tonic. I remember seeing a gentleman using the first draft of undistilled whisky, a ‘gharbh-ghucag’ as a ‘liquid ointment’ for rheumatics, by rubbing it to the affected part.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[bàsaich]
-
Bhàsaich an cú. – The dog died. But: Chaochail an duine. – The man died.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[caochail]
-
Chaochail an duine. – The man died. But: Bhàsaich an cú. – The dog died.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[cas-bheag]
-
When a young dog was too hasty and difficult to control, one of his front legs was put in between the [word missing] and his throat or tied up to the collar in order to slow him down and make him more biddable. This was called the ‘cas-bheag’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
[comhartaich]
-
Tha an cù a comhartaich. – The dog is barking.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[commands given to a sheep-dog]
-
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
[corra-cnàmh]
-
Shuidh e air a chorra-cnàmh. – a sitting position for a dog.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[càrn]
-
“B’fhearr dhuit a bhith ann an càrn cladaich na a leithid sin.” – Chanadh iad seo mu dog and cat life.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[motha]
-
Cha mho orm thu’s an cu. I prefer the dog to you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[mór]
-
Bha e cho mor as fhein is ged a gheibheadh e mart air adhairc. He was as proud as a dog with two tails.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[stuigeadh coin]
-
The commands for a sheep-dog my granny used, which I have heard repeated by my mother were: Mach thu fad air ais agus beir orra, although as far as I can understand ‘beir orra’ was applied when the sheep or the cows were in mischief and though the command meant to overtake, it was meant for the dog to give them a good drilling after he did get them. Another command which was used though I do not know is it correct Gaelic or not was ‘thoir thu leo’ and the other ordinary command being ‘trobhad seo’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
[ɡɔs]
-
Notes: call to a dog (old usage).
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
a bhiorach
-
dog fish.
Location: Cluer
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
-
abhag
-
Notes: small dog of any kind.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
away out!
-
command given to a sheep dog.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
a’ bhiorach
-
spiked dog-fish.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
a’ dunalaich
-
whimpering of a dog.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
balgaire
-
dog. Balgaire duine – a dog of a man.
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bearach (a’ bh)
-
11 [Spur Dog].
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
biorrach
-
dog fish.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
-
blaudadh bladadh
-
making a grumph [sic] or a sudden bark from a dog. [NOTES: two variants of the same word?]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bodach
-
Quotation: A’ bhodaich bhochd! Notes: said to an old dog.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bou-ou
-
(interj.) sound made to draw a child’s attention to a dog.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
buideal
-
[bu̜dʹɑɫ] Quotation: a’ cur buideal air duine neo air cù. Notes: attaching a piece of string to a person’s back or to a dog without their knowing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bòidheanach
-
[sic] [b[ɔi]ɑṉɑk] Quotation: Na bi na bhoidheanachd mas mill thu e. Notes: petting, e.g. a child, a dog.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bòidheanachd
-
Quot.: “Na bi ’na bhòidheanachd.” Note: petting (e.g. a dog, a child).
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caoch
-
Quotation: 1. an caoch. 2. cù caoich. Notes: 1. rabies. 2. a dog suffering from rabies.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cas-bheag
-
one of [a dog’s – crossed out] forelegs being tied inches from the ground with a string round its neck. [SLIP: Where one of the forelegs of a dog is tied inches from the ground with a piece of string around the dog’s neck.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
casadh
-
Quotation: Bha e a’ casadh fhiaclan. Notes: said of angry dog showing his teeth.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coinghig
-
an angry look, often applied to a dog with his hair ruffled. [NOTES: note in the margin – confhadh, rage, fury (N. Uist). (black ink)]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
come in!
-
command given to a sheep dog.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
comhairtich
-
[kɔ̃ɔ̃ʴsṯıç] Notes: the barking of a dog. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
conabhocan
-
[kɔṉɑvɔxkɑṉ] Notes: the dog-whelk.
Location: Melvaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
conogag-na-starraig
-
dog whelk. (Crows are very fond of them.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crògan
-
Notes: the dog-whelk.
Location: Skye, Sleat
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crògan
-
dog whelks.
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
-
cu-criadha
-
clay dog (ornament).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cù
-
Quotation: cù sheilgeadh. Notes: hunting dog.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cù
-
Quotation: cù strùmach. Notes: a dog with a short, cut-off tail.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cù
-
Quotation: cù caoich. Notes: a dog suffering from rabies.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cù
-
Quotation: cù cruinnichidh. Notes: a “weirer”. A dog which gathers sheep towards the man. Cf. “cù fuadaich”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cù a’ glagadaich
-
continuous barking of a dog.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cù a’ roulladh chaorach
-
a dog gathering sheep but without its master. Therefore means to worry sheep. [NOTES: note added above ‘roulladh’ – robhladh.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cù leth choilair
-
when half the dog’s collar is white. Supposed to be an indication of a good working dog.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cù stubach
-
a dog without a tail.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cù-eunach
-
Notes: gun dog.
Origin: Blackburn, near Glentarff
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
de
-
Quotation: a’ deanamh dheth. Notes: making a fuss over something, e.g. patting a dog.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dean
-
Quotation: a’ deanamh dheth. Notes: making a fuss over something, e.g. patting a dog.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dobhar chu
-
[d̥ɔ̣ʔərxuu] Notes: a dog otter.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
draochann
-
a dog making a threatening barking noise.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dreanndail
-
growling of a dog.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
-
dunalaich
-
Quot.: “cù a’ dunalaich”. Note: usually used of the howling of a dog (e.g. at the moon).
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
durghail
-
Notes: growling, as a dog.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
faochag bhan no faochag gheal
-
White inedible dog whelk.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
-
faochag bhàn
-
dog whelk.
Location: Isle-of-Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
-
fetch em!
-
command given to a sheep dog.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
fonagradh
-
[fɔ̃ṉɑɡɾəɣ] Quot.: “cù a’ fonagradh a measg nan caorach”. Note: a dog worrying sheep.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gaoisid
-
Quotation: Tha an cù a’ cur na gaoisid. Notes: The dog is shedding its hair.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gead (-adh)
-
a dog worrying sheep.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gilleacha(n) geala
-
XVI dog whelk.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gilleachan
-
Notes: a smaller version of the Dog-whelk.
Location: Melvaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
giodal
-
[ɡıd̪ɑɫ] Quotation: Tha e làn giodail. Notes: used of a dog showing pleasure.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
glamaic (v)
-
eat noisily (as a dog, etc.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
glamhadh
-
Quotation: “Thug an cù glamhadh air a’ chat.” Notes: “The dog snapped at the cat.” The meaning of glamhadh is usually the snapping of a dog’s jaws, accompanied by a growl. Sometimes it implies a lunge.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
glamhadh
-
Notes: snapping, e.g. by a dog.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
glas-ghuib
-
Notes: a muzzle such as in put on a dog, ferret, etc.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gnùsd
-
Quotation: Tha an cù a’ gnùsdaich. Notes: The dog is growling.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gnùthan
-
humming. Tha gnùthan agad. Perhaps also the low whining of a dog. Yes! This is right too. [SLIP: Humming. Also – low whining of a dog.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
guidhe
-
Quotation: “Bha e guidheachan ris a chù.” Notes: He was cursing/swearing at the dog.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
koo gyal
-
for white dog, pronounced too fast to be recognisable as a white dog.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
-
leth chù
-
hybrid dog.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lir
-
Harris word for litter of whelps. Nach ann aige tha lir. – referring to a dog having an usual [sic] [unusual?] collection of whelps (cuileannan).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lir
-
already referred as litter in Harris. A dog having an unusual number of whelps is referred to as: Nach ann aige tha lir. (Perhaps you have a further meaning or different meaning?)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lomhain
-
a lead for a dog.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lòmhnach
-
lead for a dog.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
madadh
-
dog.
Location: Argyll, Tarbert, Muasdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
madadh
-
dog. Nach b’e madadh e. – as in the case of a person acting in a rude, unsophisticated way.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
madadh
-
[mɑ̃d̪u̜] Notes: a dog.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
madadh
-
dog-mussel. (‘Clabha-dao’ in Tighnabruaich.) Clabha-dubha.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
madadh de chù
-
an angry, dangerous dog.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
madadh grèine
-
sun dog – sign of bad weather, seen in front of sun, also moon.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
meadalach
-
[mɛ̃d̪ɑɫɑx] Quotation: Bha e a meadalaich rium. Notes: showing pleasure e.g. at meeting somebody (usually used of a dog).
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mileathart coin
-
sharp bark of a dog.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
miodalaich
-
making a fuss or one like a dog does.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mionntan
-
whimpering, esp. dog.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
-
mu réir
-
Quotation: “Leig an cù mu réir.” Notes: “Let the dog loose.”
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
muc-fàileag
-
Note: rose hip (dog-rose).
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mucagan-fáileag
-
the berries of the dog-rose bush. Perhaps the name is common. I do not hear it used now…
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
musal
-
[mũ̟sɑɫ] Notes: muzzle (on a dog).
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ola na birich
-
dog fish [oil].
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
-
puta-coin
-
a fisherman’s handmade float, not necessarily made from a dog’s skin but taking the shape of a dog.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ruagadh
-
to gather, e.g. a dog gathering sheep or hens.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ràinich
-
Quotation: cù a’ ràinich. Notes: a dog whimpering or moaning.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
saigheach
-
bitch, female dog.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgalairt
-
Quotation: Tha ’n cù a’ sgalartaich [sɡɑɫɑrṯi]. Notes: The dog is yelping. [NOTES: ‘a’ sgalartaich’ in the quotation corrected to ‘a’ sgalairtich’.]
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgaltaich
-
[sɡɑɫt̪iç] Quot.: “cù a’ sgaltaich”. Note: a dog barking loudly. (Shawbost)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgathadair
-
a greedy, ravenous dog who would eat anything.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sglamhadh
-
[sɡɫɑ̃fəɣ] Quot.: “Thug e sglamhadh thuige.” Note: a voracious lunge, as a dog after a cat, without actually touching it.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sos
-
[sɔs] Quotation: Thoir a’ sos dhan a’ chù. Notes: scraps, mixed-up food, as for a dog.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sporan-stàrraig
-
the spawning pouch from which the early stages of the dog-fish maturing process is attributed thus: [see illustration]. [SLIP: The spawning pouch (dog-fish).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
strùmach
-
Quotation: cù strùmach. Notes: a dog with a short, cut-off tail.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stuig
-
Quotation: a’ stuigeadh a’ choin. Notes: egg on the dog, e.g. after sheep.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stuig
-
[st̪iɡʹ] Quot.: “Stuig an cù ann.” Note: set the dog on him.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stùrt
-
[st̪u̜:rt̪] Quotation: a’ stùrt. Notes: blindness in sheep caused by eating grass which grew among dog droppings. The parasite was to be found in a small bag of fluid on the brain. If this bag was on the right side the animal turned right; on the left, turned left; on both sides, went forward. Attracted by water.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sùibheag
-
‘dog tooth’ rainbow.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sùirstean
-
Notes: delirium caused by dog distemper, causing the animal to go round in circles.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sùisdean
-
Quotation: Tha an cù a’ dol mun cuairt le sùisdean. Notes: a type of distemper (?) which causes a dog to go round in circles. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sùistean’.]
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tabhunn
-
[t̪ɑfən̪] Quotation: a’ tabhunn. Notes: dog barking.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
toman-madaidh
-
[t̪omɑ̃ṉmɑd̪iç] Notes: hump of grass growing in a place where a dog excretes. Other beasts won’t go near it.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
toulair
-
a large dog.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
toullair de chù
-
a wandering dog. Could also be applied to humans.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
‘Fen e falbh’, ‘Fen e d ais’
-
‘way out’, ‘go back’. [commands given to a sheep-dog]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
‘Go mu chois’
-
‘heel’. [command given to a sheep-dog]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
‘Mach e sen’
-
‘away out’. [command given to a sheep-dog]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
‘Stigh e’
-
‘after it’, i.e. encouraging the dog to chase harder, not at all in the sense of taking an animal to an enclosure, in fact the opposite.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
