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acarsaid n.
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‘harbour’: acarsaid [ɑʰkəɽʂat ́]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
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achadh n.
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‘field’: ron[= tron] achaidh ud [r( ́)ɔn axi at]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
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beir vb.
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‘seize; bear’: beiridh iad [peji at]; rug i [r ́uk i]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
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ri prep.
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‘to, at, by’: ris an t-sionnach [r ́iʃ ə ɲt ́hụnəx]; thuirt e rium [huʈ ɑ r ́˻ɔu˼m]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Victoria Co., North Shore, Tarbot
Category: Tarbot, North Shore wordlist
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ro[= tro] prep.
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‘through’: roimh[= ro] thrioblaid [rɛ̃ r̥ ipʁ̫ at ́]; ron achaidh ud [r( ́)ɔn axi at]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona, Barra Glen
Category: Barra Glen, Iona wordlist
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(colas) duine air mullach nan teud
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[?] at the height of his jollity or enjoyment.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
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1. Am mathair-shioman
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[NOTES: see the illustrations under ‘Some ropework terms’, ‘Ropework at hip with chimney’ and ‘Ropework at hip without chimney’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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1. Gluta (dh)
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Rarely, if ever, does this word have a ‘g’ sound at the end. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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2. Na criosan
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About every sixth horizontal rope had a rope twisted round it after the vertical ones were in place on top of them, so as to keep the vertical ones equally spaced from one another. [NOTES: see the illustrations under ‘Some ropework terms’, ‘Ropework at hip with chimney’ and ‘Ropework at hip without chimney’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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3. Sioman gualainn
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Rope going round chimney and weighted down at both ends by extra large anchor stones. [NOTES: see the illustrations under ‘Some ropework terms’ and ‘Ropework at hip with chimney’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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4. An sioman dróma
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This rope was usually double and went longitudinally from one hip-end to the other. It was always the first rope to be laid on the roof as all the horizontal ropes (except ones at a chimney which are made fast to the ‘sioman guallain’ [sic]) were made fast to it as also were the hip vertical ropes which were passed through loops on it. [NOTES: see the illustrations under ‘Some ropework terms’, ‘Ropework at hip with chimney’ and ‘Ropework at hip without chimney’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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5. Na lùban
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Loops formed by a length of rope tied at the top of the hip to the ‘sioman dróma’ [q.v.], through which the hip vertical ropes passed. [NOTES: see the illustration under ‘Ropework at hip without chimney’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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7. Bùna-baca
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(‘Bonnacha-bac’ in Dwelly’s.) If draughts were entering the house or rain was getting in at this low part of the roof then sacks of sand were sometimes placed at the ‘bùna-baca’. [NOTES: see the illustrations under ‘Some ropework terms’, ‘Ropework at hip with chimney’ and ‘Ropework at hip without chimney’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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7. Word-list. (‘Vocabulary. Not in alphabetical order at present.’)
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Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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Bhuaill e bas ri crann
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a variant phrase meaning to knock at the door. [NOTES: ‘bhuaill’ corrected to ‘bhuail’.]
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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Cearghal
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informant is not sure whether this means Carl or Gerald. Arises at the southmost point of Baleshare in North Uist as ‘tobhta Chearghail’. Thought to have Norse origin.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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Chaidh a’ chreag na faireachadh
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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
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Dail nan ubhal
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a field at Keppoch, Lochaber.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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Di-luain
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Quot.: Di-luain traoidht [t̪ɾ[ɤi]tʹ]. Note: the first Monday after the New Year (old reckoning). (The direction of the wind at midnight that night supposed to be the prevailing wind for the rest of the year.)
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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Iain-nam-bròg
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(slang, common with fishermen) wasn’t there a name used for this boot extractor. I think there was another name in the term of a word. Perhaps you remember. I cannot recall it at the moment. [NOTES: slipped under Iain-nam-brog. Definition: Name for piece of wood so shaped to help fishermen out of their boots.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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Innse-Gall
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Orkney and Shetland Islands (since 13th century); not a fixed place-name, but a descriptive term, the extent of which varied as the power of the Norse waxed or waned. At height of Norse power, Innse-Gall = all islands from Shetlands to the Isle of Man; after Somhairle Mac Giolla Bride’s first victory Innse Gall = islands north of Ardnamurchan; after Somhairle’s 2nd victory Innse Gall = Orkneys and Shetlands only. NE Highl. C. S. – Innse Gall but more commonly Innsean Gallach, Eileana [?] Gallach = Orkney, Shetland. Innse Gaidheal(ach) – Western Isles (Lewis to Islay) + Arran, Bute. Innse-Gall not applied to any Gaelic-speaking islands. Bardic usage: Innse Gall = Western Isles (Lewis to Islay) regardless of fact that they had ceased to be Innse-Gall in 13th century and had become Gaelic. As long as the Bards had comharda, uaithne, uaim, and the other obair-ghréis of their trade, they didn’t bother about truth. Modern literary, artificial – imitation of Bardic usage, above. Incorrect.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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Peilistairean
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Righ, Banrigh. A set of seven stones erected by opposing teams. Team: 1, 2 or 3 players who in turn hurled stones at the opposition’s peilistairean. The King and Queen were usually the first victims and the subjects behind might fall with the Royal family. All Peilistairean down first were declared winners.
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
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Ropework at hip with chimney
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1. Am mathair-shioman. 2. Na criosan. 3. Sioman gualainn. 4. An sioman dróma. 7. Bùna-baca. [NOTES: see below for definitions.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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Ropework at hip without chimney
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1. Am mathair-shioman. 2. Na criosan. 4. An sioman dróma. 5. Na lùban. 7. Bùna-baca. [NOTES: see below for definitions.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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Ròthart nan Eun
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same as ‘Ròthart na h-Éill Pàdruig’. ‘Ròthart’ pronounced without the ‘e’ in both North and South Uist. ‘Ròthart nan Eun’ so called since the tide would [sic] higher in the following months, therefore making it safe for birds to nest at the highest mark left by the tide.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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Sgeir-an-Teambuill
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now under water but at one time not surrounded by water. One hundred yards from the water’s edge at Kildonan. In the sixteenth and seventeenth century people used to come from the neighbouring Ben Mor once a year at Halloween.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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Sine
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Name: Jane. Equivalents: Jean; Janie and Janet or Jessie (Zetland); Sheena (Lewis and Skye). Note: In Zetland Janie may mean Jane, Jean, Janet or Jessie. An old woman “Janie” may have been either Jane or Janet at birth.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
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Tha i air dàil
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cow at the bull (in heat).
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
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Vessels and measures used at milking time:
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Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
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[Caisg]
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“Anail Dhè ’sa ghaoith Di-Domhnaich Casg.” Older generation swear to there being something different about the weather on Easter Sunday. Different from the weather during the rest of the year. Similarly cattle are always standing upright at midnight on Christmas Eve as a sign of respect.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[Friday]
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Tradition that was kept regarding Good Friday. Whether or not the potato crop had been planted before that day it was considered that at least two or three potatoes had to be planted on that day to ensure a good crop. Similarly peats were not cut on a Friday as it was thought this might bring death to the family concerned.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[Gaoth na Seicean]
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Being on the subject of sheep I will add a phrase which I have heard here in connection with the cold north east winds we get here often in March. This wind was known as Gaoth na Seicean, the reason being that the grass, the little that is on the fields at that time of year, was all brown and withered as it is usually a frosty wind; the sheep would become very poor in condition and giving the appearance that there was nothing left but the skin.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
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[June]
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Following verse said at the onset of better weather at the beginning of June. In the context of June speaking, addressing the previous months. “Càit an do dh’fhag thu gamhnain bochd?” “Leag mi air a ghlùinein e ’s chuir mi shùil ris an t-sòp.” “Ma bheireas mise air agus anail air barr nan cluas cuiridh mi earball air feadh nan cnoc.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[Oidhche Shamhna]
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saying: Oidhche Shamhna canar gamhna ris na laoigh. (male or female calf born at least 3 months before O. Sh. becomes stirk on O. Sh.)
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
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[alt]
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Air na h-uile alt. At all events.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[ana-cainnt]
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Thug e ana cainnt dha. He railed at him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[at]
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abscess, infestation (at). Fuar-lit choirce, fuar-lit loaf, ’s ’n uair a thig an
t-at gu àirde ’n uair sin a’ leigeal (as termed) air le snàthaid.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
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[a’ gèadhadaireach]
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“Am balach a’ gèadhadaireach air tobhta an tighe.” – The boy playing at fishing with a rod.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[a’ leigeal air an at]
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Note 9: ‘A’ leigeal air an at’. An infested wound being pricked to enable the fester to discharge. A lance, a needle or the cut throat razor was used in the olden days, as we say. A lance was the professional way of doing it, or the doctor’s, the qualified doctor’s way of doing it, while it was done amateurish by a razor or a sewing needle, showing the same results, to a certain extent if not to the same technique. Before this operation was done, first of all the wound was brought to the point of a burst, say, that is with poultices, and after the fester being abstracted to the point again of having the collection of fester released.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[baile]
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Bheil duine aig baile? – Is there anyone at home?
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[beul]
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Bith dùil ri beul cuain ach cha bhith dùil ri beul uaghach. If a person was lost at sea you would expect the body to be washed ashore. This is not the case with the conventional burial.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[boils]
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Note 2: boils were brought to a point with poultices applied. When at the point of its height, so to speak, they were sometimes pierced through with an ordinary sewing needle for the collection of the pus or matter to discharge and the boil to heal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[burial on Harris]
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Note: at a burial on Harris. When the coffined remains are lowered into the grave, and the coffin set on the bottom (of the grave), the tasselled cords are thrown on the coffin, and the grave ready for to shovel the soil back in place or its contents, or part of its contents, placed with spade or shovel on the top of the coffin. Before this is done I have noticed someone of a funeral party likewise throwing a handful of sand or soil, or a sprinkle, on the coffin lid. It is a custom. For what reason is it done – luck, superstition… At the first funeral I ever attended I saw it done and I was wondering why.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[co-dhiù]
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Dean sin co dhiu. Do that at any rate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[coileir]
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[collar worn by ministers of the Protestant churches; it is worn in reverse to ordinary collars with the stud at the back.]
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
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[corra-mhàg]
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‘A chorra-mhàg, a chorra-mhàg, Bheil e tràth diathad? Ma tha, mùin air mo bhois.’ The corra-mhàg was placed in the palm of the left hand, the right palm was closed loosely over it and the above rhyme repeated with the mouth close to a small aperture left between the top and bottom thumbs, breathing softly on the corra-mhàg at the same time. It was thought that the insect often responded but any moisture there was probably condensation from the breath!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[cron]
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Tha a chron sin ort. The blame is at your door.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[cudag]
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Others are scart = scarbh = parkin = partan = pickie = young saithe, also piteuchty (Girvan). This fish is the cudag – cudaige – cudann at the sprat stage and living in the harbour. We called the larger ones blockan (léiteanach? [?]). Larger still stemlet = grey fish. Could picky be from pioc nibble? Or from a totem name piocach – Pict?
Location: Prestwick
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[cuideachd]
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Bheir e e fein as gach cuideachd, le ceol is conaltradh. He would acquit himself well in any company in music or conversation. Ged tha e math ga thoirt fhein a cuid [sic] tha e motha ’s math ga churann [sic]. Though he can acquit himself well in any company, he is better at getting himself invited.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[cur dheth]
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Bha e a cur dheth aig taobh na h-amhna. – He was talking his head off at the riverside. Note the peculiar genitive pronounced há-oo-na. [The following note copied from the letter dated 24/03/1977:] I have drawn your attention to the fact that the genitive of ‘amhuinn’ (river) in Lochaber was considered to be ‘amhna’, e.g. taobh na h-amhna. Elsewhere it is considered to be ‘aimhne’ as in Garrynahine.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[cure for colds]
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Note 5: Another cure for colds was a dip in the sea and then off to bed for sometime, an interval, etc. A gentleman on the Island of Scalpay years back was under a dose of cold. While he was engaged in mooring a boat he had, he fell accidentally into the sea at the point of disembarkation, this was by the shore. The place by the shore was shallow, he pulled himself over the seaweed on to the rocks, he had his clothes on, of course. On arriving home he immediately changed into fresh dry clothing again, of course, and found its [sic] ordeal so refreshing, and the cold none the worse, and by next day the cold ‘was gone’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[dachaidh]
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Tha e aig a dhachaidh (marbh). – At his rest.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[dearg]
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A dhearg lathair – at this very moment. A dhearg mheurlaich – you very thief. A dhearg rascail – you real rascal.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[duslach]
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Mar an duslach – a shoal of herring showing black in daylight or at evening.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
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[dòigh]
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Air an doigh sin. At that rate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[eagal]
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Chuir e eagail air an dearg mheirleach – ‘at seeing him, his face, a stealer, a ‘real stealer’, would collapse’ (putting it this way to make it more easily understood), one rendering.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
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[faillinn, coileir, bann]
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Ministers of the Protestant Churches wear a ‘faillinn’ (robe) and ‘coileir’ in reverse to ordinary collars with the stud at the back. The minister’s tie, ‘bann’, is of white linen.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
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[fiacaill]
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Chas e fhiaclan rium. He gnashed his teeth at me.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[fiataidh]
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Dh’fhalbh i gu fiataidh, falachaidh. – carefully and stealthily making your way somewhere. In this case at night time.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[fois]
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Am fois: an tàmh. At ease.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[foretelling bad weather 2]
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When no surf at all on beach – like a loch.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
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[foretelling good weather 3]
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Deep red sky at night.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
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[fro-stick]
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Another thing that was used in connection with milk, I do not know the Gaelic name for it but in English it is called a fro-stick. In fact we used to have one here though I have not seen it for some time. I’ll try and make a drawing of one which will give you an idea what it looked like. It was used for what we called a ‘fuarag’. This was some cream in the bottom of a flat dish or any vessel with a flat bottom, you put the fro-stick in it and kept the handle tight between the palms of the hands and made a rubbing movement causing the fro-stick to go one way then the other continuing this for about five minutes, depending on the quality of the cream, until it almost reached the stage what we called the ‘bainne-briste’ stage. ‘Bainne-briste’ was when the milk was starting to change from milk to buttermilk. The ‘fuarag’ was the stage before that when the cream went sour and this was often taken. The material which went round the four spokes was the long hard hair at the end of a cow’s tail like a rope. It didn’t fall off as the ends of the spokes were scouped out cup shaped.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
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[féil-beag]
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The word I’ve heard here for the ordinary kilt was the ‘féil-beag’ though anytime I’ve come across the word in Gairm or Sruth it is just written as ‘féileadh’ but I think ‘féil-beag beag’ [sic] would be a more descriptive word by what we see worn by some of the female sex at the present day.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
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[gabh]
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“Is i a ghabh a h-uile duine a fhuair Dòmhnull.” – It was she who was midwife at the birth of everyone of Donald’s family.]
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[gabhail]
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Tha e a’ gabhail air. – He beats him at fighting.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[gaire]
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Rinn mi gaire rithe. – I laughed at her.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
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[gar]
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Thig is gar thu fhein. – Come and get warm at the fire.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[grian]
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Aig àm dol sios na gréine – at sunset. Aig àm éirigh na gréine – at sunrise.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[ig]
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Ig, aige, na uaithe – to it, at it, or from it.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[iuchair]
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“Feuch nach caill thu iuchraichean do chloinne.” – said to a woman if she endangered or put herself at risk by lifting a heavy object.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[leig]
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Leig e air an at. – Lanced it.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[leisg]
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Is leisg le leisgein dol laidhe is seachd leisg leis eiridh. Slow is the sluggard at bedtime but seven times slower to rise. [NOTE in second hand: … dol a laighe … eirigh.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[luach]
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Cha deanainn air mhor luach e. I wouldn’t do it at any price.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[làmh]
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Ge be nach smachdaich làmh ris a ghlùin, cha smachdaich làmh ris an uilinn. If you do not reprimand children when they are at knee height you will be too late when they are up to your elbow.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[làmh]
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Aig laimh. At hand. In readiness.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[meudachd]
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Is ioghnadh leam fein a mheudachd. I am surprised at its bulk.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[mionaid]
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Ní mi sin ’s a mhionaid. – I shall do that at once!
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[neart]
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Bha e an treun a neirt. – he was at his peak.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[note]
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Many of the Equivalents appearing in these lists are doubtless already well-known, but I have endeavoured, from personal inquiries made mainly in Zetland and other insular parts of Northern Scotland, to furnish some fresh information on the matter. For facility of reference the English Christian names are set down in alphabetical order; and against them are shown (1) the Gaelic equivalents and (2) the English equivalents, including those which are in use in certain specified regions – together with occasional explanatory notes. In the list “Male Personal Names” the patronymics are also given – not that they may serve much useful, practical purpose, but because patronymics figure largely in our Scottish nomenclature and are interesting as derivatives from our common Christian names. From a close survey of the lists certain main inferences may be drawn: 1. The correctness of the Registrar-General’s surmise “that some names have no doubt a significance differing according to locality” is demonstrated by the following examples:– (a) Ewen and Hugh. In Lewis these two names are distinct and have separate Gaelic equivalents. (Ewen = G. Eòghann; Hugh = G. Uisdean). But in the South Isles of the Outer Hebrides the two names are interchangeable and have a common Gaelic equivalent, (both Ewen and Hugh = G. Eòghann). This fact was first brought to my notice in South Uist and I subsequently got verification of it elsewhere; one instance being that of a boy from Uist attending school at Dornie, who was known as “Hugh” at home and as “Ewen” in school. (b) Effie and Henrietta. So far as the mainland of Scotland is concerned there is, I think, no connection between these two names; yet I find in Lewis they are interchangeable, the common Gaelic equivalent being “Eighrig”. I have corroboration of this from two schoolmasters who are natives of Lewis; and I found a practical example in the case of a Lewis lady resident in Skye, whose husband calls her “Effie” but who signs her name as “Henrietta”. 2. Many of our Personal Names are merely Anglicised forms of Gaelic Names, for example: Gillespie = Archibald (from G. Gill-easbuig), Donachie = Duncan (from G. Donnchadh), Murachie = Murdoch (from G. Muireach), Ailie = Helen (from G. Eilidh), etc. etc. 3. Some of the other names are not what might be termed exact equivalents, but are distorted forms given to foreign names by Ministers who were unacquainted with the foreign language. In this class is the name “Haki” or “Hakon” which has been transformed into “Hercules”; just as “Osla” has been twisted into “Ursula” and thence into “Cecilia”. It should be understood that my inquiries have been comparatively limited and that consequently the information given here cannot be anything like exhaustive on the subject of name equivalents. But the examples given are sufficient to illustrate that many odd equivalents do exist, and that the identity of a person with whose name we are furnished may be found under an alternative name.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
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[note]
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“I am sorry I am rather vague about some of these at present but they may be of some use.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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[note]
-
“I have heard nearly all of above. Some are still heard with older people who use such expressions as “evernow” – at the present time. “Slamp” – agile, is a word not heard much now as are “fludding the school” – truanting and “rooicking” [?] – staying out late without permission. These would lead to a “plooking”! “Scoolan” – a receptacle for potatoes, etc. “Bualla” was formerly heard for a shinty club – the game was not played much in the town but rather by boys in the surrounding parts.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[note]
-
(This incidentally is in our district the final operation, at the crofter’s house.)
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
[ospag]
-
Air an ospag dheireannach. At the last gasp.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[partan]
-
Is fhearr am partan na bhi gun fhear. Better to have some kind of husband than none at all.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[prevention of flies]
-
a mixture of urine and dipping liquid was a popular mixture for the prevention of flies, to keep the flies at a distance from the animal.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[ruith]
-
Is iomadh uair a thug mi ruith air. Many a time I made him run. [NOTE in second hand: had a turn at it.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[ruith]
-
Air an ruith cheudna (air a cheart ruith). At precisely the same rate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[réidh]
-
Tha iad reidh a nis. They are at peace now.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[seòl]
-
Air an t-seol sin. At that rate.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[sgrogag]
-
Sgrogag dheiridh, sgrogag thoisich – bits of wood protruding at front and rear of a cart. Rear ones prevented the cart from tipping too far.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[sheep grazing]
-
a) Sheep stop grazing in early afternoon and seek shelter, even if weather good at the time.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
-
[siorruidheachd]
-
Anns an t-Siorruidheachd. “Dh’aithnichinn Calum agus Tormod agus Eighrig agus Coinneach. Ach c’àit am bheil Tormod?” “Thà anns an t-Siorruidheachd.” (At his rest, marbh.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[slachdadh]
-
Fhuair iad slachdadh aig an sgoil. – They got a beating at school.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[sonas]
-
Aig a shonas. – At his rest. Marbh. Mu dhuine diadhaidh. Mu dhuine cumanta ’se ‘aig a dhachaidh’ a chanadh iad.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[spàigean]
-
By the way, “spàigean” one might say, was a derivative of “spàgach” and described a baby at the stage when he or she walked with legs well apart in order to balance.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[steall]
-
Bhuail sinn pliu’ an acair air a bial, ’s chitheadh tu e a’ falbh na steall anns a cholbh-bianain. – the striking of anchor on boat’s rail, forward at the bow, to cause herring to ‘show’ in the phosphorescence.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
-
[subhachas]
-
Is mairg a dheanadh subhachas ri dubhachas fir eile. Woe to him who mocks at another’s grief.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[suidh]
-
Shuidh e a mach mi. He outs at me.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[sàil]
-
An t-sàil dheiridh. An t-sàil bhrollaich. Cross beams at both ends of a cart.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[tachair]
-
Tachairidh mi ris airson so. I shall be at him for this.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[teine]
-
An taca an teine. – At the fireside. By the fireside.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[tobhta]
-
Various seats in a boat: – tobhta stiùraidh – tobhta a’ chruinn – tobhta iomraidh – tobhta bheag (at rear).
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[triuirean]
-
Aig iomairt air triuiarean [sic]. Playing at marbles.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[tuaiream]
-
Bruidhinn air thuaiream. Speaking at random.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[tòir]
-
Thig mi air do thòir aig aon uair. – I shall call for you at 1pm.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[uair]
-
Gach uair. At all times.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[uilear]
-
Cha b’uilear dhaibh tighinn aig aon uair. They would require to come at one o’clock.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[uilleir?]
-
Tha’n (?)/Cha’n (?) uilleir [?] dhut sin a dheanamh gun dàil. – You had better do that at once.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[ɛ̜i vɔ̃:nʹ]
-
Notes: cf. Harris ‘iarunn mòine’. Spade for cutting peat. Long, broad blade, turned at point.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
[“croman”]
-
the “croman” was the most popular implement for lifting potatoes. Constructed like a small pick – broad blade with handle at right angle.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
a cuir làmh na’d bheatha
-
putting yourself at risk.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
a fuxer
-
used by boys when their lines become entangled at fishing.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
acair
-
Notes: stone weight at the end of the “sioman” going over the top of the roof. Placed just above the top of the wall.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
adagachadh
-
Notes: making stooks of corn. There would often be as little as six sheaves in it – two pairs side by side and one at each end.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
adhaircean
-
‘horns’ on either side of the top piece of the stem of the boat to which the bow strip hook is ‘clipped’. I cannot say also at the moment. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Catch-word: adhairc.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
adhlaic
-
Quotation: (a) chaidh [[ɑ̃ũ]ɫɑk]. (b) aig an [[ɑ̃ũ]ɫɑk]. Notes: (a) he was buried. (b) at the funeral. [NOTES: slipped under ‘adhlac’.]
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
aghachoimheach
-
false face (spelt colloquially), what children use as marauders at Halloween, in Scotland. [SLIP: Mask (as said in Scalpay).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
aig
-
prep. ‘at, to’: aig: aig an geamhradh [sic] tha iad geal; agam: ‘well,’ thuirt mi agam fhìn; aice: ach bhiodh aicese ri bhith còmhla ris, co-dhiù [FMM]; bhiodh e aice ris a’
bhainne ‘ chur dhan chreamery
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
-
air
-
Notes: Air a mhór-thir. Air Bràighe Steornabhaigh. Air an taobh-siar. Air na Lochan – at the Parish of Lochs.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
air fhiaradh
-
looking at something with a squint.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
air mo pheacnachadh
-
due to antagonism a normally placid person gets involved in a torrent of criticism directed at his opponent. Then says that person is the cause of his sinfulness.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
air muradh
-
at large on pleasure bent.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
aird-an-fhiarais
-
at the height of the fever, high temperature.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
aire
-
nn f. [= faire] ‘wake (at funeral)’: bha iad a’ dol dh’ionns’ na h-aire; bha ~ mhòr a’ dol a bhith ann; pl. bhith na bòst gàbhaidh air na h-aireachan
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
-
alainn
-
[ɑɫĩnʹ] Note: his pronunciation. Whisky and tobacco given out at a funeral. Did not see it himself. “Alainn an duine a bhasaich.”
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
alaire
-
[ɑɫɑɾə] Notes: whisky, biscuits and cheese taken at a funeral.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
alaire
-
[ɑɫəɾə] Quotation: an alaire. Notes: whisky, biscuits and cheese given at a funeral.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
alaire
-
Provisions for a funeral especially whisky. Also bread and cheese. Before the funeral party set off for the cemetery, they lined up in front of the house of mourning while men went round serving glasses of whisky on trays, followed by women who served biscuits and cheese. Whisky and cheese were served in the churchyard after the burial. In early times so much whisky was consumed at funerals that fighting was a common occurrence, especially if two funeral parties met (one going north and the other south) and each claimed the “right of way”. Fighting too broke out in the churchyard. The last caber on the ancient Cille Mhartainn church in Staffin, Skye, was hauled down and used as a weapon in a melée. This happened nearly two centuries ago when that church was in ruins and long abandoned. [SLIP: Provisions for a funeral. (See Quest.)]
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
-
alairidh
-
[ɑɫəɾi] Note: whisky given at funerals, usually at the cemetery.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
alaraidh
-
[ɑɫɑɾi] Notes: whisky, biscuits and cheese at a funeral.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
alt
-
Quotation: Bha alt aca air tughadh. Notes: They were skilful at thatching.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
alt, allt (m)
-
cliff, steep rocky slope (burn at foot).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
amhaich a’ chuain
-
a narrow inlet, inland. Example in question being the ford at Benbecula over which a bridge runs.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
an airidh
-
I am not sure what or where this was. I heard this expression ‘Shuas air an airidh’. Could have been a boarding or platform among the rafters. [NOTES: the following comment added later at the bottom of the page.] Have discovered that the ‘airidh’ was not part of the dwelling house – it was a broad shelf or suspended loft in the barn.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
an cliabh fodair
-
some cows (as a result of bad habit) did not yield their milk without being given a small quantity of succulent grass, turnip leaves etc. This was carried to them in a creel. Dried backbones of fish, such as cod, also served the same purpose. This saved carrying ‘fodder’ when the cows were at the shielings miles away from the villages.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
an dreasair
-
(in living room) The dresser, the high back of which held various dishes: plates, bowls, cups and saucers, stood against the other wall (of living room) opposite ‘séis’ [q.v.]. At one end of the dresser there was a table, at the other end two barrels, one of which held oatmeal and the other flour.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
an druim
-
the heavier rope at the bottom of a net.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
an dùnadh
-
wooden supports at a boat’s stern.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
an fhaire chlaidh
-
a guard posted at a cemetery when bodies were being stolen.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
an fhuilm
-
a bit of wood found at a boat’s helm. About two feet long and used for steering.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
an ruaidh
-
hard udder at calving (mastitis). [NOTES: slipped under ‘ruaidh’ with ‘an ruaidh’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
an sluagh
-
This refers to a belief, not common nowadays, which people observed. It referred to the souls of the deceased rising from their graves in the dead of night, between twelve midnight and three in the morning. Apparently they visited their former dwellings. Moreover and also anyone who was walking at this time of morning bore this in mind and it was the custom to warn such a person that these souls could uplift him whilst on his journey. The phrase “Feuch na glac an sluagh thu” reflects this belief. Unlike the fairies these souls would return you to the original lifting point by three in the morning.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
an t-at busach
-
mumps.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
an taca ’sa bhliadhna
-
at this time of year.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
an tinntein
-
stand at each side of the fire for holding pots etc.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
an tòc
-
This is a mystery somewhat akin to the King’s Evil, only in this instance, animals are the sufferers. An operation is performed on the eye of the animal (sheep or cow). The eyelid is turned outwards and by means of a darning needle and a piece of thread, some particular part surrounding the eye is manipulated so that it can be cut off. This gives immediate relief to the animal. Veterinary surgeons do not believe in it. An instance was quoted to me last summer. The man telling the story told me he had been to a village in Lochs. There was a cow, very far through, stretched out on the ground practically at its last gasp when my friend arrived. The vet had been called and had given her up as hopeless. My friend asked, “Na dh’fhiach sibh bheil an tòc oirr?” “Chan eil fhios againne dé th’ann an tòc.” “Uill bheir mise an tòc bhair na bà agus mur a dèan e feum, cha dèan e cron ’sam bith oirre co dhiubh.” He performed the operation and in ten minutes’ time the cow was on its feet and eating the grass. The amazing thing is that the people of Lochs had never heard of this most effective operation which is still regularly performed in Uig.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
an-àm
-
Quot.: ’S e cadal-ceàrnach cadal ann an an-àm. Note: at the wrong time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
analachadh
-
aspiration, lenition of consonants, also séimheachadh; ? but there seems to have been a difference (at times). Mo cheann – analachadh air “c” also d, t, b, p, m, s. Mo làmh – séimheachadh air “l” also n (and f?).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
annsporag
-
[[ɑ̃ũ̜]spɔɾɑɡ] Note: J. N. understands it to mean the ox tongue and what naturally attaches to it at the back when it is removed to be cooked.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
aparan
-
a wooden partition extending from the stern of the boat to the back seat – ‘tobhta bhig’. Strengthened the rear of the boat. Steering equipment would be connected to this. In Eriskay a bottle of holy water would be attached to this bit of wood as it was thought this kept supernatural forces at bay and generally kept the crew and boat safe.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
aran crì
-
Notes: ‘gingerbread’ (sold esp. at Là na Dròbh). Cf. Irish arán cróich. Cf. Welsh bara croyw ‘unleavened bread’. ?? Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
argannan
-
floats, [made of] cork, at head (ceann shuas), aig gach sia treathan.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
-
artag
-
Quotation: artag cladaich. Notes: ground which is under water at high tide but on which short grass grows.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
artag
-
Quotation: artag cladaich. Notes: area at the shore where grass grows but is covered at high tide. Grass is always short but liked by beasts. Frost doesn’t affect it. See “ceap artaig” or “ceap cladaich”.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
as
-
Quotation: as t-oidhch’. Notes: at night.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ashadh
-
storm tossed, rough passage as at sea. Fhuair iad ashadh a dol tarsainn a’ chuain an dé. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
astar-chas-an
-
(pronounced asterchassan, the ‘an’ at the end is open like sgadan, herring) a path trampled down by feet, usually where this was not welcome. ‘Tha a chlann air astarchasan a dheanamh troimh ’n choirc.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
at
-
Quotation: an cuan ag at. Notes: heavy swell appearing on the sea.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
at
-
Quotation: at-buinn. Notes: swelling on the sole of the foot due to walking barefoot. [NOTES: slipped under ‘at-buinn’.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
at
-
gate.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
at
-
Quot.: “at caoich”. Note: a septic swelling that appears and comes to a head very quickly. (Put also under caoch.)
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
at
-
Quotation: an at busach. Notes: mumps.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
at
-
swelling.
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
at (m)
-
swelling.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
at braghad
-
tonsillitis.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
at-amhach
-
sore throat.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
-
at-buinn
-
Notes: swelling on the sole or heel of the foot from going about barefoot.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
at-bàn
-
Notes: T.B. in the hip-joint.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
at-góbhlach
-
Note: carbuncle (says that its foundation radiates in different directions).
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
at-sclopan
-
(throat).
Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
ath-storadh
-
Quotation: ag ath-storadh a’ mhóine. Notes: making larger heaps of peats than when at first lifting. (ath-storagan)
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
a’ breacadh
-
picking at or roughening, e.g. breacadh na brathainn, i.e. roughening the grinding side of the quern stone.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
a’ chaingeis
-
Whitsunday (28th May). From this date you had to keep your cattle to yourself. It was at this time of year that cattle watching began. Until Martinmas (28th November) had to tend the cattle.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
a’ coiseachd deiseal
-
walking in a clockwise direction. This happened at funerals before the coffin was brought into the graveyard, i.e. the procession walked round the outside of the graveyard in a clockwise direction before entering the graveyard.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
a’ cruachadh
-
building into seven foot ‘beehive structures’; this will be brought home at the woman’s leisure during good days in Autumn, Winter and Spring; few do this nowadays. Their work on the ‘sliabh’ halts at ‘tòrr’ [q.v.] at which stage the tractor is called into action.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
a’ gearradh phuirt
-
process of making drains at the roadside so as to drain excess water off the road.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
a’ ghiùlain
-
Was the phrase applied to the remains while being carried to the grave. At walking funerals in Glenelg, my former charge, the coffin is borne in the rear of a procession instead of in front. It is believed that this tradition had its origin in military funerals from Bernera Barracks, nearby, which were erected very soon after the first Jacobite rising of 1715. I have never seen this custom except in Glenelg. [NOTES: slipped under ‘giùlan’ with ‘a’ ghiùlan’ as the quotation. Definition: See Quest.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
-
a’ spoth nam fàdan
-
cutting lower edge of peats at an angle – mòine bhàn chiefly – to make it easier for thrower to lift peats away from ‘carcair’ [q.v.].
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
a’ steidheadh
-
here the outside peats were placed on edge at a steep angle in a more or less level layer.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
a’ tighinn a staigh a dh’iarraidh athainn
-
this could mean that a person was only dropping in and could not stay for long. Reflects the custom of stopping at a house for an ember to use as a torch.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
babhstlair
-
Quotation: Geda [sic] bha Gàidhlig aig na [b[ɑu]stɫirən], cha robh iad ’ga teagasg idir. Notes: speaking of Gaelic at school.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bad
-
Quotation: “’Bheil e ga iarraidh anns a bhad?” – at once. Bad corc – sheaf of oats. Bad luachrach – the place (portion) of rushes.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bad a muigh
-
covering the body with heavy sheaves at the same time making secure with coir rope or heather rope.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
baile
-
Farm over 50 acres arable – leased in olden days by periods of 19 years. Renewed at end of such period if approved by landlord or factor.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
baile
-
Quot.: “Tha’n crodh a stigh air feadh a bhaile.” Note: before fences were introduced the cattle, sheep, horses wandered at will on any of the crofts.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
baisteadh
-
Quot.: a’ baisteadh. Note: practice at one time of dipping newly-made clay vessels in milk. Milk called “boinne-baist”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bal guailleadh
-
rope used for tying up. Located at front stem.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
balach-bog
-
a boy prone to fright and cry at the least disturbance, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
balg
-
Quotation: Tha a’ bho ’n deidh a’ bhalg a bhreith. Notes: at calving.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
balg
-
Quotation: balg-uisge. Notes: water bag expelled at the birth of a calf.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
balgan-feòir
-
Quot.: “Cha teid thu mach mas beir am balgan-feòir agus an ceithir-chasach ort!” Note: said to young children if they wanted to go out at night.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ball bùird
-
a fool in the company, someone to laugh at.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
banais
-
Quotation: banais-chullaich. Notes: a collection of wailing cats at night (Kilmuir).
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
banais-nan-cearc
-
Notes: held the night before a wedding when the womenfolk collected at the bride’s house to pluck and cook the hens.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bann (m), bannan (pl)
-
bands for sheaves. 8, but more usually 10 sheaves in each stook (adag) in Tiree. Reef knot for sguaban-coirce. Bann-eòrna (at sguab centre) for sguaban-eòrna.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
bannag
-
Quotation: “Thoir a bhiadh do fhear-an-tighe, ’S thoir a bhannag dhomhsa.” – New Year’s cake. Notes: part of a Rhyme used by children visiting at New Year time – supposed to date back to the time of the Druids!
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bara
-
[bɑɾə] Notes: a kind of “nest” made at the top of the beach to accommodate a boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bara
-
[bɑɾə] Notes: channel made for a boat at the top of the shore. Boat left in it when not in use.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
barp
-
an accumulation of stones beside lochs. Examples found locally at Milton and Lochboisdale. People are supposed to be buried underneath these rocks. Associated with the distant past.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
barra-leathad
-
[bɑrəlʹɛʔəd̪] Notes: camber in the road at a bend.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
barran-tarsain
-
irregular crop of potatoes; showing its appearance between the drills, ‘tops’ appearing between the drill spaces, at hoeing time.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
beag-umhail
-
Note: said of a person who was at ease in any company.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bean-nighe
-
Note: comhtharradh bàis. If she was seen washing at a loch.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bean-uisa
-
this expression is equivalent to ‘mo thogair’. The lady who gave these three words [i.e. cudthrom shiudan, bean-uisa and cuilidh] is a native of Laggan. Her father was born in that parish about 1871 and lived for a few years at Dalchully and nearly all his life within a few miles of it and had heard that that was the meaning of ‘cuilidh’. I have not heard the word with my father but doubtless he would have been familiar with it and with ‘bean uisa’. He knew the lady and her father very well.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
beannhnag
-
[?] a piece of cotton cloth wound round the head to keep the hair tidy when at work. Resembling the head-scarves of today but much smaller.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bearnan-brìde
-
flower, dandelion, at the point of the flower giving way to withering, the seed is left which parachute off by the wind. Children used to blow off the seed themselves and counting how many times they had to blow before the final seed was blown, which indicated what time of day it was. The flower itself does the re-seeding. The seed is disposed likewise from its down, ‘choimhiteach’ [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bearradh
-
cutting the tips of the wool off year-old lambs at shearing-time.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
-
beartachadh
-
Quotation: am beartachadh; snath beartaich; a’ beartachadh a’ lion. Notes: thick twine used to fasten the net itself at intervals to the line across the top.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
beith
-
birch tree. There is only one birch tree I know of growing within a distance of Scalpay. It’s on another adjacent island to Scalpay (Scotisay Island), and again as far as I gather, there isn’t one growing on Scalpay, Harris. The one that grows on Scotisay is the ‘silver birch’. If there is a special name for the ‘silver birch’ remains a question with me at the moment.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
beul
-
Quotation: ann am beul an latha. Notes: at daybreak.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
beul cuain
-
in the context of the sea delivering the body of someone lost at sea.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
biast
-
Quot.: “Chaidh mi na mo bhéist ris.” Note: I went wild at him.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
biastan-a-chruidh
-
little ‘red ticks’ nibbling the flesh. Cure: ‘achduinn-ghorm’ – blue ointment
applied usually at the back of horns to avoid it being licked. Sheep dip was also used as a
destroyer.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
-
bigeireachd
-
Quotation: a’ bigeireachd ri rud. Notes: “picking” at something, e.g. when doing a job, not working at it consistently.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bilearach
-
Notes: a green sea-grass growing in the sand. This was used at Bridgend to cover the potatoes in the pit as “luachair” was scarce there.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
biogaireachd
-
Quotation: a’ biogaireachd air. Notes: said of hunter waiting to get good shot at bird. Conveys the idea of teasing a cross person or animal.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
biorach
-
Quotation: a’ bhiorach [əvıɾɑx]. Notes: cow at first calving (2½ years).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
biorr chrith
-
a length of iron, pointed at one end and used for holing corrugated iron. [NOTES: ‘biorr’ corrected to ‘bior’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bith-aighe
-
(? sounds like eye) an earthworm. (at Melness)
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
blar mona
-
Peat bank. There were held for a period of ten years. At the end of that time peat banks were reallocated by casting lots. [NOTES: spelled ‘blàr mòna’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
blian-geal
-
Quotation: Chaidh e air a’ bhlian-gheal. Notes: used of salmon when it turns over because of lack of water or casting a stone at it.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bloigh
-
Quotation: Chaneil, na bloigh! Notes: in answer to a question. “Not at all, not in the least!”
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bocsa roighdaidh
-
a large wooden box 15" x 12" used for keeping lobsters fresh for a fortnight. This was floated inshore at a time when lobster collections did not take place so often.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bocsa-na-gocaid
-
cornered (in a box) in a situation wherein the subject or person is in difficulty, and at the same time hopeful of recovery, or having access from a jumping up and down, or movement up and down, as the toy movent [sic] [moving?] on a spring in a box. (Harris) Tha thu ’m bocsa-na-gocaid. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bodach-sàbhaidh
-
Note: the figure of a man, its hands stretched out in front of it holding a stick which came down at an angle and passed under its feet. A potato, for balance, was stuck on its lower end. The man then was put standing on a line and it swayed backwards and forwards without toppling.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bodachan
-
Bodachan taois – oatmeal and water mixed and made into a ball, usually for feeding sheep. Bodachan siùcair – small bodachan of oatmeal was squeezed in the left hand and the portion which exuded at the top was flattened and sprinkled with sugar. It was then somewhat shaped like a mushroom and was given to the children.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
boga-sùgain
-
the state of material at a point being ‘over-softened’, soil etc. [SLIP: When a material is on the point of being over-softened.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bogha
-
Notes: reef submerged at high tide.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bogha
-
Notes: reef, submerged at high tide.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bogha-froiseadh
-
(Tiree gen. with -adh at end.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
-
bogha-làir
-
‘ground rock’ on the sea-bed which doesn’t show at ebb time, a rock getting its name through rising ‘bow’ shape slightly from the bottom of the sea. [SLIP: Rock on the sea-bed which doesn’t show at ebb-tide.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bogh’-an-t-salachair
-
permanent underwater (or ‘submarine’) rock, its name signifying reef seaweed, etc. at its proximity.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
boinne-taige
-
Quot.: “Tha boinne-taig’ aice.” Note: said if one felt a few drops of rain. Also used for sweat. “Tha boinne-taige dheth le fallus.” or “Tha boinne-taige fon an t-sròin aige gun abhsadh” – drip at the end of his nose.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bois
-
Quot.: “bois an dubhain”. Note: the flat part at the end of a hook.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
boitean connlach
-
corn etc. given at feeding time.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
bollaid
-
bollard for tying or fastening ropes on (boat) at a pier.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bonnach grùthainn
-
a saithe’s liver mixed with flour. Boiled in the same pot as the saithe but separated by being placed on a plate at the top of the pot.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bradan
-
28 [Salmon] breac (iasg geal; descending to sea) > guilse (at [?] sea and growing) > bradan.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
braighdeachd
-
a game played by boys in which some were held in captivity at one stage. (Badenoch)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
brangas
-
[bɾɛ̃ŋɡəs] Notes: headpiece put on horses when tethered. It consisted of a piece of wood coming down each of the horse’s cheeks, with a rope joining them underneath. The tether rope was attached in such a way that when the horse pulled at the tether the pieces of wood tightened on its cheeks and forced it to stop pulling.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
branndair
-
[bɾɛ̃n̪d̪ɑɾ] Notes: iron grille used for making bannocks at the fire. “Bonnach branndair”.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
branndair
-
Note: grate put on top of the hearthstone when the fire was in the middle of the floor. Considered at the time to be a big advance.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
breacadh
-
‘fire-prints on the feet’ caused by continually sitting by a large fire and the feet bare, gradually the fire impression sets in. I cannot think of an English word for it at the moment. [SLIP: “Fire-prints” on feet.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
breithe
-
common grazing at the foot of a mountain on the eastern side of the village. [NOTES: note added above ‘breithe’ – bràighe.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
briogais
-
[bɾwɡiʃ] Notes: breeches, tied just below the knee. Not used for “trousers”. Wearing the “briogais” at one time was considered a cut above the ordinary. “Tha i ’n deidh an fhear ud a phòsadh – tha briogais air.”
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
briogais
-
[bɾıɡıʃ] Notes: breeches, tied at the knee.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
briscean, pl. briscein
-
roots. (I know the vegetable or ground eatable produce but I am afraid I cannot give you the very word for it in English at the moment. They can be rooted from the ground. I have already noted the word on a previous page.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
brod
-
a gaff with a hook used to draw out lobsters. This could only be used at spring tide.
Location: Milngavie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
broilleach
-
[bɾɔlʹɑx] Quotation: am broilleach or am maide broillich. Notes: Bracket at joint between stempost and keel.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bràigh
-
Quot.: “am bràigh”. Note: the rope from the “cruaidh” to the “put” at the end of a small- or great-line.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bràinndean
-
small grinding stones which would be kept at home for small scale grinding.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
brùic (f), brùca (gen)
-
rotted sea-weed, at high-tide mark (N.E.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bu tu a lann sùla
-
There was the term used: bu tu a lann sùla. I am not quite certain if this meant (eye-attraction) at the moment.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
buachaille-bliadhna
-
Note: shepherd employed by a township to look after the sheep. Method of payment was to give him a certain amount for each beast delivered safely at the end of his term of employment. (N.C. thinks it was about 6d.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
buailltain
-
a wooden club rounded at one end with a hollow right through it. A strip of sheepskin was put through this hollow which you gripped in your hand instead of a rope. A flail used to strike corn.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bualta
-
I am not quite sure of the meaning of this word at present – but the word is an authentic, Gaelic. Camus-a-bhualta (Harris). [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
buathrach
-
a fetter placed on a cow at milking time. Hind legs were tied. [NOTES: corrected to ‘buarach’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bubaid
-
button or plug. It may have originated from ‘button’ in English. Seldom heard today if at all. The word could be used in connection with the electric switch to-day, it was or to a likewise ‘wart’ say it was used – also materially [?]. [SLIP: Button; used also of ‘electric switch’. Seldom used nowadays.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bucall
-
(m) Hook or buckle thro’ which strap for tying hames (at top) passes. [NOTES: spelled ‘bucal’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
builg
-
Quotation: “Tha an t-iasg a’ builgeadh.” Notes: fish at play, breaking the surface and causing bubbles to form but not biting.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
buill-slaodaidh
-
the bridle ropes at the end of the net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
-
buinne
-
Notes: whirlpool created at the meeting of the tides.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
buinneagan
-
garden produce, of the leek ‘family’? ’S toigh leis an duin’ agam buinneagan, duilleagan ’s toigh leis ’n duin’ agam duilleagan càil? I am not, I am afraid, at the moment prepared to say what is the English equivalent?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bun dubh
-
refers to corn that is black at the roots.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bun na h-ursainn
-
cross piece at the bottom. Suirighe fad air falbh ’s posadh am bun na h-ursainn. – Courting miles away then marrying a next door neighbour.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
bun-a-chroinn
-
a lug sail in a boat hooked at the bottom of the mast.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bun-bac
-
lying at anchor. Na raimh ri bun-bac. They had this saying in Scalpay in former days. Perhaps you have another meaning yourself for this term?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bun-bac
-
Note: described as the point at which the “ceangail” and the top of the wall come together. (Usually described as being two or three feet up from the wall.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bun-dubh
-
refers to corn that is black at the root.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bun-luachair
-
remains, roots of rushes after being cut left in the ground and being approached with a spade, and difficult to uproot is spoken of at one instance as bun-luachair.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
busach
-
Quotation: an at busach. Notes: mumps.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
buthaman
-
bowman potatoes. So called after a ship ran aground at Paible with a cargo of this potato. The captain of the ship was called Bowman.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bàl stòcainn
-
modern equivalent would be a pyjama party. Everyone had to bring socks for the person they would leave with at the end of the night. If they did not have this they would be refused entry. [NOTES: ‘stòcainn’ corrected to ‘stocainn’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bàsdair
-
[bɑ:sd̪ɑð] Note: a soft boggy place with grass growing on it. Sheep would try to get at the grass and get stuck, or sink in it.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bàthach
-
When the cows occupied one end of the “tigh dubh” that end had no stalls. A short post was driven into the wall and a cow was tied to it by a strong rope. Earlier still, instead of the wooden post, two stones in the shape of two horns meeting each other at their extremities and forming a sort of circle were built into the wall. The end of the rope which tied the cow was fixed to this circle. As many of these circles as were deemed necessary were built into the wall on each side of byre.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
bò Shamhna
-
a cow demanded by the chief at Halloween.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bòrd
-
Quotation: obair a’ bhùird. Notes: serving at tables in a hotel.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bòrd-slios
-
Notes: board at the side of the bed.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bùileasg
-
[bu̜:lʹəsɡ] Notes: pot handle, split at top and hooked.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bùlasg
-
Quotation: bùlasg poiteadh. Notes: handle of a pot in two parts, hooked at the top.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
bùth
-
stall for selling at fair. (Shop is [ʃɔxp].)
Location: Glen Lyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cabhadh phloc
-
two sides throwing clods of earth at each other.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cabhail
-
[kɑu̜əl] Notes: a stone wall built at the mouth of a river or head of a loch or inlet to catch fish when the tide recedes.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cabhal
-
a device for catching fish in a burn. A semi-circular opening was made by means of a flat piece of wood and the ends of a piece of willow inserted in a hole at each end of the piece of wood. This held open the mouth of a bag-net which was put into the burn at a place prepared for it so that the fish could not swim past.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cachd
-
[Cow dung.] The ‘achd’ is the same as the ‘aca’ in ‘aca’ (at them). ‘Caca’ may be a better way of spelling it.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
cadal
-
Quotation: cadal nan con ’s a’ mhuilinn. Notes: as if sleeping but at the same time on the alert for the oatmeal to appear.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cadal
-
Quotation: cadal-ceàrnach. Notes: a sleep at the wrong time.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cadal-ceàrnach
-
Note: a sleep at the wrong time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cadalan-tràghad
-
sleep before the ebb, wee sleep. I am not sure of this compound word either. Does it mean the nap, wee nap people used to do before the ebb tide when engaged at sea-weed cutting in the Highlands of Scotland, or is it the name of a bird or shell-fish, but if you do not find any other definition, I think you will be ‘safe’ in noting the meaning I have here, see the bottom of page 5 [i.e. above] and thus: ’S ann a tha e cuimhneachadh dhomhsa an cadalan-tràghad. – reference to a ‘slow or easy going’ person. [SLIP: Sleep before the ebb; ref. to a slow and easy-going person.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cadha
-
a rocky gap at side or foot of a mountain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
-
cadhalaid
-
when people gather together. The word hints at a noisy atmosphere as well. “Bidh cadhalaid ’san taigh sin ’nuair a thig iad uileag dhachaidh.”
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caighinn
-
Quotation: Chuir iad caighinn air aig a Chùirt. – He was fined at the Court.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cailleach-bhuaineadh
-
[kɑlʹɑxvu̟ɤṉəɣ] Notes: the last handful of corn at harvest-time was taken in, made into a St. Andrew’s Cross, decorated with ribbon and hung inside the house on a nail. The two horses got a half-share each of this before they started the ploughing in spring.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cainneas
-
talking attraction. 1. definition. Perhaps the etym. is cainnt. (Isn’t there a word cainnteas also: at this point I am not certain, I am not fully certain, rather.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cairidh
-
a wall built in the river estuary at low tide designed to capture fish at high tide. This would [sic] they remained upstream.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cairt na cosgais
-
Notes: at funerals, in the islands, cart which took victuals/provisions – when long distance had to be covered.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caise Calluinn
-
a special cheese made at Christmas period.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caisean ochd
-
skin on breast, a tit-bit at killing time. Skin was cut off, with wool still on, a red hot cinder put inside and left to cook!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
caisean-cumhach
-
[kɑʃɑṉkũ̟ɑx] Quot.: “Caisean-cumhach na Bealltainn”. Note: spell of bad weather at the beginning of May.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caisean-cumhach
-
[kɑʃɑnkũ̟ɑx] Quot.: “caisean-cumhach na Bealltainn”. Note: a “rotach”, spell of bad weather at the beginning of May.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
camaidealach
-
[kɑmədʹəɫɑx] Quotation: àite camaidealach. Notes: a place through which it is difficult to make a clear passage. One has to zig-zag to avoid obstacles, e.g. harbour with a lot of rocks at the entrance.
Location: South Uist, Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caog
-
Quotation: Chaog e rium. Notes: He winked at me.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caog (verb)
-
wink. Chaog mi rithe. – I winked at her.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
caoibean
-
[kɤıbɑṉ] Quot.: “Có thig air mo chaoibean?” Note: at end of waulking, this question would be asked as a girl would pull a strand at the end of the cloth. Referring to which boy would come at the time. (Not too clear about this.) (“cuibean” in Dw.)
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caoibean (E)
-
[The first five or six inches of warp uncrossed by the weft at the beginning of the web.] Feuch caoibean. Nuair a bhiodh na mnathan a luadh agus a thigeadh firionnach a steach do an chuideachd chanadh iad: “Nì e caoibean dhuinn.” “Nì Tormod caoibean dhuinn.” (Cha b’ann leis a’ ghruaim a chanadh iad seo.) (Fuaimnich: caoidh' agus bean.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
-
caol-druim
-
(one example) I have the most rare usage of meaning on the page previous [caoldrama?]. A common word in the physical sense. I have heard it used colloquially in the past days in the previous sense. There are the variations in meanings, as you will no doubt understand yourself that I only give the one meaning or sometimes two in my [?] collection, omitting the gender and tense, nouns, adj., and all the terms denoting cases etc., etc., grammatical ‘abbreviations’ and so on and so forth. Anyway, I am leaving this to yourself, and all the material I have here is the present words found in the speech of the people on Scalpay, but perhaps a few words of former days. I haven’t approached a dictionary so far, but what I am trying to recall from memory, but a word or two I have defined as ‘documented’ from the ‘passing peep’ in a phrase, or a passing look so to speak. This is the way I am trying to expand on at the moment. DRM
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
caora chàraidh
-
sheep taken from tenants by proprietor at Halloween.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
car-seicidh
-
[kɑɾseci] Notes: coarse jacket for everyday work made of canvas-like material. Often used at threshing time.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
car-shùgan
-
an instrument used for making rope. Consisted of a bit of cylindrical wood with a hook at one end for twisting the heather, mane or whatever. [NOTES: a question mark added in the margin.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cara
-
a trap for catching fish at high tide. Placed in the mouth of a river. See earlier description in previous notes. Difference in pronunciation between Uist (caraidh) and Eriskay (cara).
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
carameal
-
vetch. Plant with bitter taste, one explanation. ‘Bitter’ rather clashes with ‘meala’? Wild peas. It’s difficult to observe its growth in this area at the moment if at all grows on Lewis or Harris? (I’ll make further enquiries.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
carbad
-
Quotation: a’ charbad. Notes: base for a coffin with two shafts, one at the head and one at the rear, protruding from the sides. Four people carried it.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
carbad
-
Quotation: casan-coirpte. Notes: shafts of light under the sun – indicates rain – usually at sunrise.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
carrag
-
Notes: the lump at the end of a piece of tangle where it sticks to the rock.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
carraichgean
-
[kɑrɑçɡʹɑṉ] Note: the lump at the base of tangle, attaching it to the rock.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
carraig
-
Notes: rock above water, even at high tide. “Carraig-iasgach”.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
carraigeann
-
found on rocks at low tide. Used to make a sort of pudding which was said to be replenishing.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cart
-
Quotation: Cart na cosgais. Notes: (Uist) the cart which contained the spirits, biscuits and cheese, and tobacco, and which followed the remains at a funeral. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cairt na cosgais’.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cas mar theach
-
when sheaves of corn were improperly constructed. This refers to a sheaf that has ears at both ends instead of being at one end.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cas-chaibe
-
Quotation: Bha am buntàta air an stobadh le cas-chaibe. Notes: flauchter spade. Holes were made at regular intervals and the potatoes dropped in.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cas-ladhrach
-
[kɑsɫɤ:ɾɑx] Note: covering on the hooves of a calf when born. At one time they were taken off, boiled and eaten.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
casachan
-
the parts of a loom worked by the feet. Casachain mhora – the actual pedal. Casachain mheadhain – the connecting rods by which the further end of these is bound to the loom itself. Casachain bheaga – the parts of the loom at the top which are directly connected to the bottom ‘casachain’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
-
casan ladhrach
-
Quotation: casan ladhrach [ɫɤ:ɾɑx]. Notes: covering on calf’s leg when born. Soon lost. At one time taken off at birth.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
casan-ceangail
-
rafters, tied together at the top with rope.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
casan-coirpte
-
Notes: shafts of light under the sun – indicates rain – usually at sunrise.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceamaidealach
-
crooked, at least not straightforward.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceanghal
-
[masc.] a pair of sloping roof joists meeting at the ‘gad-droma’ [q.v.]. The size or length of a house was given by the number of ‘ceanghail’. Thus – Tigh och [sic] ceanghail or Tigh mór nan deich ceanghail.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
ceanglachan
-
sling. (I am not quite sure again at the moment. I think I am right.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann
-
Quotation: ceanna-cuir. Notes: the rope, at both ends of a small line or great line, to which the “bolla” and “cruaidh” are attached.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann
-
Note: rope between the “cruaidh” at the end of a fishing line and the buoy.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann, an ~
-
prep. ‘engaged with, stuck into’’: bidh iad an ~ a chèile, an dà cheann aca [FMM]; ‘after, at the end of’: cha robh gin orm an ~ latha no dhà; chuimhnich mi air an ~ co’là
deug
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
-
ceann-cuiligean
-
[cɑn̪ku̟liɡʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: heard this for the sheaf put at the very tip of a stack to make it pointed.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann-iomair
-
edge of field left to be ploughed at finish.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann-iomaire
-
Quotation: an ceann-iomaire. Notes: the area used by a horse for turning. At the end of the day these would also be ploughed. One acre a day was considered good work for two horses and a man.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann-mara
-
buoy marker, marker on the surface of the sea, as in the case of long-lines or small lines set in the sea for fishing, the ends of the set of lines are kept indicated on the surface by a ‘ceann-mara’, also serving their original [?] purpose as floats tied to the line on the surface, the other fastened to the fishing line or lines at the bottom of the sea.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann-maradh
-
Notes: the buoy at the end of a small-line.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann-sguire
-
[cɑ̃n̪sɡu̟ɾə] Note: area at the end of a ploughed field where horses turned.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann-sguire
-
Note: at the ends of a ploughed field where the plough can’t reach.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann-snaidhm
-
Note: a cloud formation usually above the horizon. Strips of cloud coming together at one focal point. Could expect rain from this direction.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann-tobht
-
Notes: wooden brackets at the end of the slats of a boat. Pl. “cinn-tobht”.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceann-tobhtadh
-
Notes: brackets at the ends of thwarts of a boat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceanna-chnag
-
Quotation: bracket at end of seat in a boat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceanna-chnag
-
Notes: knee-piece at the ends of the seats in a boat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceanna-chnag
-
Note: wooden bracket at ends of thwarts.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceanna-chnag
-
Notes: braces at the ends of the seats of a boat.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceanna-chnag
-
Notes: bracket at ends of boat seats.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceanna-chnaigh
-
[cɑ̃n̪ɑ̃xɾɑ̃ĩ] Note: the brackets at the ends of the thwarts.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceannachran
-
a strong support pole running from the top of the wall to the highest point of the gables. At both ends of a house.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceannag
-
a bundle of straw thrown to cattle at feeding time.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceannard
-
[cɑ̃n̪ɑʴḏ] Notes: where the horses turn at the end of the field when ploughing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceannmhaigh
-
[cɑ̃n̪ɑvɑi] Quotation: Na [cɑ̃n̪ɑvɑiəṉ] a bh’againn bho chionn fhada. Notes: the person at the head of the household.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceap
-
Quotation: ceap artaig or ceap cladaich. “A’ bhliadhna a thiodhlaic sinn Mairi Uilleim, b’eudar dhuinn ceap cladaich a chuir oirre.” – indication of what the weather was like. Notes: in severe frost a “ceap artaig” or “ceap cladaich” would [be] cut to cover a grave. Artag – grass covered area at the shore, covered at high tide. (See artag.)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceap
-
turf, cut sometimes where it is thin with some peat attached to it and cured for burning at the back of the fire to save the peats during the winter.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
ceap starra
-
a cross piece of wood at the door as one came in. It was underfoot.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
ceartuair, an ~
-
advb ‘presently, at once’: tha mi ‘ creidsinn gu bheil iad seo a’ tighinn mun cuairt an ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
-
ceasach
-
[cɛsɑx] Notes: wooden bridge at the peat bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceathramh
-
used in weather forecasting terms. If someone went out to look at the sky, he would be said to be: “A’ coimhead air a’ cheathramh”.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceithir-chasach
-
Quot.: “Cha teid thu mach mas beir am balgan-feòir agus an ceithir-chasach ort!” Note: said to young children if they wanted to go out at night.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ceutabh
-
[cıɤt̪əv] Quot.: “Cha do ghabh mi ceutabh idir dheth.” Note: I didn’t take a fancy to it at all.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
chaneil lan suil ann
-
[sic] it is not up to standard, not worth looking at.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
-
cidsin-dubh
-
additional small room at the end of a house where meal was stored.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ciste-chliabh
-
a wooden box [?] for keeping milk with a basket front of woven willow used at shieling.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ciubharan
-
Quotation: a’ togail a ciubharain ris. Notes: phrase used of a woman ‘setting her cap’ at a man. Source: Catriona MacKay, Harris. Date: 1988.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ciutha
-
hair of a female made into a ball at the back of the head with hair pins inserted.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clach
-
Quotation: na clacha-cinn (sic). Notes: two stones on which the maide-droma rests, at opposite sides of the sorn (kiln). [NOTES: slipped under ‘clach chinn’.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clach
-
Quot.: clach-bheag-a-doc [ḏɔk]. Note: game played by children. Seems to have been a simple game involving putting a small stone on top of another one and trying to knock it off by firing another one at it.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clach ghlagain
-
an unevenly balanced stone found at the mouth of a cave, so placed that it tilted whenever it was trodden on, thus warning the occupants of the cave. (There were one or two examples in Uig.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clach shiomain
-
Notes: stone on which the rope was tied at the side of the house.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clach stradaig
-
this was the name given to the bended part of the channel which heated the seed – ‘sorrag’. Had a fire at one end and the seeds at the other end.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clach-bhoinne
-
Notes: lingering drops of rain at close of heavy shower.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clachan peileastair
-
[pɛ̜liʃtʹər] like 9 pins – one big one you threw small ones at it to knock it down. [SLIP: A game. Similar to 9 pins. A big stone is placed on its side and smaller stones thrown to knock it down.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
claidheamh
-
Notes: pin at the end of a roof ladder to keep it up.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
claidheamh
-
Notes: bar across a door to lock it at night.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
claidhean
-
a latch or bolt at the top of a door.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
claimheag
-
Notes: a small eel found at the mouth of a river.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
claimheag (clèimheag)
-
Notes: small fish – often found under rocks at low tide.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clais
-
Trench or furrow for potatoes; tha last furrow in centre, if iomaire was split; the last furrow usually at outer edge of furrow [sic].
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
clais
-
Quotation: a’ cuir a stigh claiseadh. Notes: finishing off the last furrow at the edge of a field.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
claise
-
Trench or furrow for potatoes; tha last furrow in centre, if iomaire was split; the last furrow usually at outer edge of furrow [sic]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
claise
-
Trench or furrow for potatoes; tha last furrow in centre, if iomaire was split; the last furrow usually at outer edge of furrow [sic].
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
cleas na Féille air an Fhadhail
-
prior to a bridge at Benbecula this referred to the cattle having to swim across the ford to cattle sales.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cleas-na-sgithinn
-
a speed trick involving a knife with three bits of paper on one side. The person performing this moved his hand so quickly that at times he would only have one bit of paper on the knife or two, three pieces.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cliath
-
[kliɤ] Quot.: “Dean cliathan beag.” Note: in weaving, the amount of cloth woven at the one time without releasing the tension and pulling the cloth back to allow room for the sley-board to go back and fore.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cliath
-
Note: when weaving with a wooden loom, the amount woven at the one time before the tension was released and the cloth pulled back a little to allow the sleay-board to move back and fore.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cliath
-
three large waves that occur at intervals at sea.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cliath drilich
-
Harrow – rounded at top. It covered two drills at a time. [NOTES: spelled ‘cliath dhrilich’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
cliseam
-
Quot.: an cliseam. Note: applied to the three pegs at the top of the “beart-dheilbh” for fixing the “alt”.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clisgeartaich
-
trembling. A hound indicates likewise at the hunt through bodily emotion. [SLIP: The emotionally caused trembling a hound makes at the hunt.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clogaid
-
[kɫɔɡidʹ] Note: a sheaf of corn with the band pushed up towards the head and the bottom opened out; then put upside down on a corn-rick at the very top to make the water run off.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clogs
-
Quotation: na “clogs”. Notes: wooden block about 9" deep and 2ft long resting on the axle at each end (to raise the box of the cart).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cluaran
-
[kɫũ̜ɑ̃ɾɛ̃nʹ] Notes: piece of wood fixed at one end to the door by a nail and dropping into a slot on doorpost when closed. It could be opened from the outside by a rope going through a hole in the door.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cluasag
-
Quot.: “cluasagan na cuibhle”. Note: rests of leather at the ends of “snàthad a’ bhiùirne”.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clàbhaist
-
a noisy conversation, everyone talking at once.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clàp-sgàin
-
someone who had eaten so much he was at bursting point. [NOTES: ‘clàp’ corrected to ‘clap’.]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
clàrach
-
the planking at the stern.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cnagan
-
bits of wood that were part of the tether on a horse. The bits of wood were on each side of the horse’s face and when the horse tugged at the tether the wood tightened on each side.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cnoidhain (n – R sound)
-
at the bottom of a cow’s foot.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cnuaic
-
heap. [NOTES: already quoted at the beginning.]
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cnàimh
-
Quotation: cnàmhan glas [kɾɑ̃:əṉɡɫɑs]. Notes: potato patch. (1) Furrow turned with a spade, potato placed and the divot put upside down on top of it (fertiliser put in with potato). (2) Left unturned until the shaws grew. Then at the time of “togail uime” the strip left unturned was dug up and the earth put round the shaws for support.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cnòtag
-
a cylindrical object which tapered towards its bottom. Inside this there was a bit of wood with a handle at the top which manoeuvred the wood inside the cylinder. It was used for taking the chaff off corn. For small scale use, e.g. when making breakfast.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cochall
-
Quotation: an cochall [koxəɫ] or cochull. Notes: covering on lamb at birth.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coigreach
-
crozier of St. Fillan, custodians of which were Dewars of Glendochart also called “Fearachd”, see “Deoraich na Fearachd”. The relic was present at Bannockburn. Found in Canada where taken by custody 1870. Now in Edinburgh.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coile-bianan
-
[kɤləbĩɤ̃ṉɑṉ] Notes: phosphorescence at sea.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coileach-gaoitheadh
-
Notes: said by them to be a mock sun, seen above the horizon. Could be seen at sunset or sunrise. Said to indicate a change of weather.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coilleach-cràigean (sic)
-
[kɤlʹɔxkɾɑ:ɡʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: sheaf put at the very top of a cornstack to make it pointed.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coinneamh
-
Quotation: coinneamh uaircneach. Notes: meeting held on the night of the “Coinneamh Mhios”, which was held [at] midday, and to which only members could come (Free Church).
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coinneamh-uaigneach
-
Notes: church meeting at which only communicant members are present. Still held monthly in some Free Churches in Lewis. Source: Calum Matheson. Date: 1980.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coirbte
-
Quotation: casan-coirpte. Notes: shafts of light under the sun, usually at sunrise – indicates rain.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coirce-madaidh
-
[kɔɾkəmɑ̃d̪iç] Notes: corn which had turned black due to disease. Sterilisation process (boiling water poured over seed) carried out to prevent it. ([iç] very often for idh at end of word.)
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coire bliannain
-
a glittering, scaly substance visible on seaweed at night.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coireathallan
-
[kɔðɔhəɫɑṉ] Note: a piece of wood with a hole at each end which served as a swivel on sheep tethers.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
collas
-
Quot.: “Bha mi far an robh an collas.” Note: hustle and bustle, e.g. at a wedding. Also: “Abair gu robh collas air a’ dol suas a’ rathad.” – in a hurry.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
comha-thràth
-
Quotation: Thig a steach mas beir an comha-thràth [ɡõ:rɑ:] ort. Notes: belief among us when young that this was a sort of “bogeyman” who came out at nightfall.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
comha-thràth
-
[kõərɑ:] Quot.: “am beul a’ chomha-thràth”. Note: at nightfall.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
comharsba(dh)
-
Quotation: Na bithibh a’ comharsba riumsa idir. Notes: ? Competing, striving. Could be used by host who has finished eating, but still urges the others at the table to carry on.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
comhfhailteachadh
-
Quotation: Có tha comhailteachadh [sic] cò’ (?) riut (?)? Notes: attendant at wedding – male or female.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
comhtharr(adh)
-
Quotation: “Dé ’n comhtharr’ a bha thu air?” Notes: What was your position (at sea)?
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
comhtharradh
-
Quotation: “a’ gabhail comhtharran”. Notes: taking bearings at sea.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cona-mheur
-
[kɔ̃ṉɑvĩɑ̃ɾ] Notes: the point at the base of an otherwise “unpointed” antler (see cabar-slait).
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coradh
-
deeping [sic] [dipping?]; moving the head up and down as a swan on a loch. I coradh ri faileas. (An old word if at all used now?)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
corp
-
Quotation: Dh’éirich i agus dh’fhalbh i ann an corp na h-oidhche. Notes: at dead of night.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
corp creadha
-
an effigy constructed with clay from a river and shaped just above the water of that river. Pins were stuck into this and left on the surface. When the river rose the effigy wore away. At that point the pain would be felt by the victim.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
corr thulachain
-
in the construction of a thatched house this wooden plank or pole extended from the joint at the top of gables, down to the wall.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
corr-fhàd
-
the first peat that is cut at the outside of each row. More rugged that other peats due to the crust being exposed to the elements.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
corradaireachd
-
peeping over the side of a boat at sea. Bha e corradaireachd tha [sic] a cliathaich.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
corran
-
[kɔrɑṉ] Notes: narrow bank as a promontory, submerged at high tide.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
corrfhad
-
the peat at the face of the bank.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
cosgais
-
Notes: whisky, cheese and biscuits served at funerals.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cosgais
-
Notes: whisky, biscuits and cheese at a funeral.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cosgais
-
Quotation: cart na cosgais. Notes: the cart which contained the spirits, biscuits and cheese, and tobacco, and which followed the remains at a funeral. (Uist)
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cosgais
-
Notes: whisky, cheese and oatcakes or biscuits given at a funeral.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cota-ruadh
-
great coat, soldier’s great coat. “Cha mhor nach do rinn mi gluasad le mo chota-ruadh dh’an arm”. Perhaps also fishermen in the past have worn such a coat. The above couplet by a fisherman may refer to his own coat, or the coat received at the outfit, ‘soldier’s enlistment depot’. [NOTES: slipped under ‘còta-ruadh’. Quotation has ‘...mhór...’ and ‘…chòta-ruadh…’]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cotan
-
[kɔt̪ɑṉ] Quot.: cotan a’ laoigh. Note: a small enclosure at the shieling for a young calf born there.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cotan
-
Notes: ‘a hole in the bruthach, for the calf to lie in, if born at the shieling. Dwelly has cotan ‘small fold for a calf’. (MMcL, Uig, Lewis)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cotan
-
Notes: small turf enclosure made at the shieling to accommodate a young calf. Usually a semicircle was dug into the face of the bank an closed in with turf divots.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cotan
-
[kɔt̪ɑṉ] Note: small turf enclosure for a young calf at the shieling. Usually built into a bank and enclosed with turf divots.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
coth roisainn
-
the tying of a heather rope round the two gables at the top of the house.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cothannach
-
[kɔhən̪ɑx] Quotation: “Bhiodh e a’ cunntadh naoi stuadhannan agus a’ [xɔhən̪ɑx] a thigeadh bhon an naoidheamh stuadh bhitheadh e na chuir ann am botul agus na chrathadh air fear air an robh ‘barr a’ chinn’.” Notes: a Donald Sinclair from Tiree who is supposed to be able to cure “barr a’ chinn” – a lump or lumps which appear at the back of the throat.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cragan feannaig
-
[kɾɑ̃ɡɑ̃ṉ fjɑ̃ṉɑ̃ɡʹ] Notes: sea urchin found at very low tide.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
craic fuilt
-
mop of hair. [NOTES: already quoted at the beginning.]
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
craicte
-
cracked, broken, touched, ‘crackers’. (Seldom used on Scalpay if at all. I have heard it from other sources, perhaps visitor coming on the island: it may be used in other places generally.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crainnseag
-
the thick, rubbery fat left at the bottom of a pan after melting.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crann
-
Quotation: an crann. Notes: slip bolt at the bottom of the door – vertical and going into a hole in the floor.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crann ceille
-
at helm.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crannag
-
a party at Halloween.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crathadh làimh fada bhon taigh
-
applied to people who were content to wave to you at a distance but who would not welcome you into their household.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
creedle; croick
-
2. Creedle for holding line. Made of cane rounded at one end and sloped at other for shooting line. And for easy storing on wooden croick when left after baiting ling prior to going to sea.
Category: Iasgach / Fishing
-
crimeadh
-
Quotation: a’ crimeadh cnaimh. Notes: nibbling, picking at.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
criochail
-
staying constant bordering at or in the one area.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crodh breac
-
Holstein at al.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
croinn Charinish
-
Iron plough made at Carinish. [NOTES: spelled ‘crann Chairinis’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
crois iarna
-
held in the hand: hand at centre of shaft. Function: to make hanks from balls of wool.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
-
crois sgeir
-
in Frobost, South Uist. At low tide a rock formation is visible which forms the sign of the cross.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
croisean
-
[kɾɔʃɛ̃ṉ] Quotation: croisean na spaideadh. Notes: cross-piece at the top of the shaft.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
croisean
-
Quot.: an croisean. Note: on a warping frame, there are two pairs of pegs which are opposite each other (one, I think, at the top right hand corner, the other at the bottom left hand corner), whose purpose is to separate each bunch of threads as they are warped on the frame. The first bunch goes over the first peg, under the second, round it, under the first peg and back on the same route etc. This is the croisean:
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
croisean
-
(part of gràpa) Cross bit at top (cnag).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
cromag
-
Notes: the hook at the end of the “slabhraidh”.
Origin: Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crosgagan
-
gusts of wind from a north easterly direction. Occurred at the beginning of summer.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crot a’ raimh
-
the re-inforced part (at the fulcrum) which slips backwards and forwards between the tholepins.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cruach
-
Quotation: cruach mhóine. Notes: stack at the roadside or at home.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cruach tighe
-
peat stack at home.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
cruachadh
-
a huge stack was made at the house.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
cruinn-leum
-
Quotation: Bha an t-each na chruinn-leum. Notes: at the gallop.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cruisgean
-
Primitive oil lamp. Consisted of two open shells, an upper and a lower. The lower shell was a trifle larger and longer in spout to catch the drop of oil which at intervals fell from the wick (which terminated in spout of upper shell) when lit.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
cràgair
-
[kɾɑ:ɡɑɾ] Notes: the bits at the two ends of a horseshoe which are turned down.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cràgair
-
[kɾɑ:ɡɑɾ] Notes: the part at the back of the horseshoe which is turned down.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cràgaisge
-
[kɾɑ:ɡiʃɡʹə] Note: two of these, one at each end of the ridge of the blackhouse roof. Protruded so that the “sioman” could be anchored round them. Two protruding sticks.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cràigisgean
-
a stick protruding at each end of the roof. Heather ropes fixed to these to secure thatch.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cràigisgean
-
[kɾɑ:ɡʹıʃɡʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: piece of wood jutting out at the end of the thatch round which the rope keeping down the end thatch was wound.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cràigisgean
-
Notes: MMK says it is the spot at both ends of the ridge-pole where the roof begins to slope to the wall.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cródaich
-
Quot.: a’ chródaich [xɾo:d̪iç] (not nasal). Note: illness said to be in sheep. They weakened at the “knees” and went about on them. Front legs.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
crùisgainn
-
Miss M. MacKay, Geirinish and Mr R. O’Henley use the word ‘lòchran’ when referring [to] the cylindrical object which is lit beside the tabernacle in a Roman Catholic church. The word ‘cruisgainn’ [sic] to me at least is not so original unless different types of lamp are used. English term is ‘sanctuary lamp’.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cuairt
-
[ku̜ɤʴsṯ] Quot.: a’ chuairt. Note: angled piece of wood at stern and stem of a boat for strength. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cudthrom shiudan
-
pendulum. The lady who gave these three words [i.e. cudthrom shiudan, bean-uisa and cuilidh] is a native of Laggan. Her father was born in that parish about 1871 and lived for a few years at Dalchully and nearly all his life within a few miles of it and had heard that that was the meaning of ‘cuilidh’. I have not heard the word with my father but doubtless he would have been familiar with it and with ‘bean uisa’. He knew the lady and her father very well.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cuibhteas
-
nn ‘freedom [from]’: bhiodh na foinneachan aige ‘s bha sibhse ~ iad [at]; faighinn ~ fear dha na coin
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
-
cuilean ()
-
[masc.] a small addition to the main stack – like a ‘lean-to’ or ‘porch’ at the end or side.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
cuilidh
-
a good pasture; a pasture on which cattle or sheep “come on”. Dr Alex. MacBain, who was from Glenfeshie, gives the meaning of Dalchully, Laggan as “dale of the hollow or recess” (T.G.S.I. Vol. 16. p. 194). The lady who gave these three words [i.e. cudthrom shiudan, bean-uisa and cuilidh] is a native of Laggan. Her father was born in that parish about 1871 and lived for a few years at Dalchully and nearly all his life within a few miles of it and had heard that that was the meaning of ‘cuilidh’. I have not heard the word with my father but doubtless he would have been familiar with it and with ‘bean uisa’. He knew the lady and her father very well.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cuimseach
-
Notes: good at aiming.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cuiseag
-
wild mustard. The stem of this plant, when at the stage, the withered stage, was
used as a final top pinnacle, point, in the corn-stacks.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
-
cula bhruidhne
-
talking point, i.e. regarding someone who had made a fool or embarrassment of himself. [NOTES: note added at the end of ‘cula’ – (idh).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cullach
-
Quotation: banais-chullaich. Notes: a collection of cats wailing at night. (Kilmuir)
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cunnabhalach
-
working at a steady pace. “Obair chunnabhalachd [sic] fad an latha.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cunntair
-
[kũ̟n̪t̪ɑɾ] Quotation: an cunntair. Notes: reinforcing piece inside the shoe at the back.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cunntas sleamhnain
-
a rhyme was said whilst a sharp object, usually a knife, was pointed at the eye. Apparently this removed the stye.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cupan
-
goblet (at least for Protestant communion).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
-
curgaigeadh
-
coupling. ’S math a tha sibh a’ curgaigeadh – some or a couple referred to as looking well matched. At a wedding procession, the bride and bridegroom were followed to church by couples, of male and female partners.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
curra-thulchainn
-
[ku̜rəhu̜ɫuxĩnʹ] Note: the stick jutting up from the thatch at the end of a blackhouse (màs an tighe).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
currac
-
Quotation: “Bha currac gheal air an tarruing.” Notes: the ground swell curling up at the top and threatening to break.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cusp
-
a cut at root of toe.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
càbhail
-
Quotation: càbhail [ˈkɑ:vəl] air. Notes: having a chew at.
Location: Lewis, Bernera
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
càraich
-
Quotation: Chàraich e am biodag air. Notes: to aim at.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
càrdadh
-
carding the wool. ‘Eòlan’ [q.v.] – oil added to the wool at this stage.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
-
càrn nam mollachd
-
a small stone cairn built by Hogmanay boys at any house where no provisions or gift had been given to them.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
càrnadh
-
heaping. A’ càrnadh dha fhéin, airgead agus òr. – ‘safing [sic] [saving?] up’. Càrnain air an t-shlighe [sic] – cairns on the way. A brief note: at one time in Harris when a burial was to take place in the churchyard of Luskentyre, the burial party used to build cairns (‘càrnain’) while resting with the coffined remains, denoting ‘càrnain air an t-slighe’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cèinean
-
[cɛ̃:ṉɑṉ] Note: a game like “falach-fead” played at night.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
còir
-
Quotation: Còir gu robh Màiri aig a’ chèilidh. Notes: ‘So Mary was at the cèilidh.’
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
còta-cutaidh
-
an oilskin coat used by women gutters, at the herring gutting.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
có
-
Quotation: Có chuireadh dris no droigheann romhad. Notes: Rev. Morrison, of Baile na Cille, at a communion service in Garrabost.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cùbair
-
Notes: cooper – in charge of the casks at the distillery.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cùl
-
Quotation: an cùl. Notes: strip at the back of a shoe.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cùl
-
Quotation: Cùl an doruis – the outside. Air béul-thaobh an doruis – on the outside of the door. Air taobh muigh an doruis – on the outside … Aig an dorus – at the outside.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cùl
-
Quot.: “cùl na speal”. Note: the thick iron part at the back of the scythe blade.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cùlag
-
[ku̜:ɫɑɡ] Notes: turf divot, the bottom part of which was usually peat, dried and used as fuel at the back of the fire.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cùlag
-
[ku̜:ɑɡ] Notes: turf divot cut when skinning peat. Put at the back of the fire when dry. [ɫ] not sounded. Probably [u̜] takes its place.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cùlag
-
Notes: divot usually placed at the back of the fire when dry.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cùlum
-
dust at bottom of bucket, i.e. of peats.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
cùpa tì na’d laimh
-
having tea without sitting at a table, e.g. “An gabh thu tì na’d laimh.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dais
-
Quotation: a’ daiseadh a’ mhoine. Notes: some time after the first lifting the peat would be shifted and put in long narrow strips to allow the wind to get at it.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
daolan-carghuis
-
larger than the usual beetle and had wings, which were speckled. Only seen at the later [?] season. If killed its insides had an obnoxious smell. [NOTES: ‘carghuis’ corrected to ‘carghais’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dath
-
Quotation: Tha dath maith air a ceann. Notes: said of a beast’s head at shows, etc.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dealagan
-
at one time when houses were being thatched the first layer was a layer of turfs. These turfs were knitted together with small bits of wood called ‘dealagan’.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
deireadh
-
Quotation: an deireadh. Notes: the board at the back of the cart.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
deireadh bhuainn
-
refers to the custom of having a few drinks at the local inn after the harvest work had been done.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
deireadh leathainn
-
the square end at the stern of a boat.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
deoch porstar
-
stout or porter. Each house used to get a firkin at harvest.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
-
deoch-sgleap
-
drinking at another’s expense.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
deò
-
end, rear; deò-là – evening; gu deò (till the end) – for ever; fa-dheòi, mu dheòi – at last, ultimately.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dha phonaigeadh
-
perhaps from the word padding, a lady powdering herself. It may have derived from the old folk’s attempt at describing the first recollection of Powder.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
dileadh
-
[dʹıləɣ] Note: a drain dug down the centre of the house floor and covered with flat stones. The outlet was at the end of the byre.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dithean-mara
-
sea-pink. I think there was another name for this flower besides dìthean-mara [sic]. I have only this as thinking of it termed like-wise. I am [not?] able to recollect further at the moment. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dithean-mara’. Definition: Sea-pink.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
diuluch
-
[dʹu̜ɫu̜x] Note: growths on the stem of the “mircean” [q.v.] at the base of the leaf.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
donnag
-
Notes: small fish – often under rocks at low tide. Edible.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dorus màs an tighe
-
a door at the lower end of the house.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
draghganta
-
[dɾɤ:ɡɑn̪t̪ə] Note: dogged, persevering, determined. Often used of a good worker, someone who is always at something.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
driamlaichean-liunn
-
na driamlaichean a chi sibh a seòladh eadar da ‘lionn’ neo ‘liunn’. Faic an càirdeas [?]. See at ebb tide. Saoilidh mi cuideachd gu robh na facail dorchan-liunn air a chleachdadh. [SLIP: (Driamlach-liunn) Fishing lines on ebb tide.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
drongaireachd
-
used as part of an expression indicating disbelief and amusement at what was being talked about. “O dhrongaireachd.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
druideadh
-
moving towards. Sneaking out element hinted at.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
druim a’ phuill
-
top of the bank, to which the ‘face’ is at right angles.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
drumag
-
this was a bigger load than above [i.e. sgùird] – the apron was filled and worn behind with the two bottom corners pinned or knotted at the neck. Had to be stronger and bigger than these of the present day (the aprons).
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
drumanach
-
elder tree (already noted). When in winter the branches became sapless, children (as already noted) scrabbed [sic] [scrubbed?] the branches with a pocket knife and used the branch as fishing rods. It (the common elder) is a common tree, ‘easy to grow’ in places like the Isles of Scotland where the climate is damp and cold. It is noticeable on Harris growing without or within little distances of houses, or close to a house. If this signifies anything, I am not able to say at the moment. Seemingly it could? … In the ‘superstitious stories of the Isles’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
drun
-
ro dhrun ris – at a particular job too long causing tiredness.
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dubh-thalamh
-
Land on which there are cattle but which can be cultivated at any time. See: talamh trom (Tiree).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
dubhan
-
Quotation: dubhan dùint. Notes: hook with a closed loop at the end.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
duine crainntidh
-
a temperamental man likely to snap at the slightest intimidation.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
duine doigheil
-
a good tradesman, someone who is good at his job.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
duine foilleach
-
an impatient, hurried person. Always trying [to] do things at great speed. [NOTES: ‘foilleach’ corrected to ‘foileach’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
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
-
dà stiùir as a dheidh
-
at a lobster’s rear.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
déile
-
Air an déile. After being washed and dressed a dead body was stretched (righeadh) on long planks of wood draped in white linen sheets, pending the arrival of the coffin. At this early stage the corpse was referred to as being “air an déile”.
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
-
déisbeid
-
[dʹe:ʃbɑdʹ] Note: a fester at the root of the nail. Can come up very quickly and perhaps come to a head the same day.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dìdearachd
-
Quotation: Bha e dìdearachd aig an dorus. Notes: peeping in at the door. Also spying, “Bha e dìdearachd orra.” – he was spying on them.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dòrlinn
-
[d̪ɔ:ɾlʹĩnʹ] Notes: ridge formed by gravel, sand, e.g. between islands. Can walk over it at low tide.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dòrn-fhuar
-
Quot.: a’ toirt a mach an dòrn-fhuar. Note: trial of strength involving the twisting off with the bare hands of the lower part of the cow’s leg at the knee.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dòrnais
-
Notes: a torch made from a stick covered with rags at one end and dipped in oil. (Also used for a peat lighted at one end and used for the same purpose.)
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
dùn
-
peat piled at the road preparatory to being hauled home.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
eabar
-
mire, i.e. that left by cows gathering at a gate.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
eadradh
-
Quotation: Nach ann aig a’ bhó a tha ’n eadradh. Notes: meaning the quantity of milk yielded at the one milking.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
eadradh
-
milking time at twelve o’clock.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
eaglais
-
This is the word I have always heard for a church but it may be interesting to note that there are three farms in this district called Achnahannet. Not very long ago looking through the dictionary I came on the word ‘annaid’ meaning a church, which may suggest that that word was used in the district at one time.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
-
easgaich
-
danger spot in the ground not showing, boglach. [SLIP: Danger spot in a bog which is not at first apparent.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
eileamaid
-
Quotation: Na h-eileamaidean. Notes: cup and plates at a Communion service.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
eilghidh
-
[elei] Quot.: ag eilghidh na talmhainn. Note: first ploughing where barley was to be sown – to ease the earth. Then ploughed again later on at sowing time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
eilteachdainn
-
[elʹtʹɑxkĩnʹ] Quotation: “’S mi rinn an eilteachdainn ris.” Notes: showing great pleasure at seeing somebody.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
eisdeachd
-
Quotation: Bha iad a’s an eisdeachd. – They were (hearing sermon) in Church. Notes: apparently this word was the one used in the R. C. Church for attendance at Confession. Probably after the Reformation it continued to be used in the Gaelic area to describe a Protestant Service.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
eitneach
-
burnt roots of heather or dried roots. I could check as at the moment I am not quite certain – doesn’t it ‘associate’ with heather or pertain to heather. [SLIP: Burnt or dried roots of heather – unsure.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
eolas-an-déididh
-
prior to the era of dentists a certain member of the community would write some words on a small bit of paper. Thereafter the afflicted person was not to look at this paper but to secretly place it under a rock. As the elements eroded the paper the toothache was supposed to wither away simultaneously.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
errair
-
(droch errair) heavy surf on the shore. (Stoer, Assynt) Tha fuiam [sic] mor aig a’ “errair” – when the sound of the swell on the shore was heard at a distance. I understand the word is derived from oir a’ tir – the edge of the land. I never heard it anywhere else except in Durness where it is called “ellair” – “Tha a h-ellair olc.”
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
-
eun-ghuireag
-
Note: seems to be applied to the snipe on the wing from the description of the sound it makes at night.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
facal
-
Quotation: Bha facal aige. Notes: applied to a witty person, good at repartee.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fad
-
Quotation: Bha mi aige fad, fìnn, foinneach [fonʹɑx] an latha. Notes: I was at it the whole day.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
faiche
-
inlets near the shore where lobsters could be caught at low tide. Caught with the aid of a ‘croman’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
failbheag
-
a ring at the end of a rope or a metal hook at the end of a chain.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
faileadh
-
Quot.: “Faileadh ortsa!” Note: exclamation of displeasure at someone.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
faircean
-
crevices under rocks on the shore. Lobsters, crabs can be obtained in these. The word ‘fairc’ is different from ‘faiche’ which is used at the south end of South Uist.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
falaraidh
-
applied to refreshments after a burial whether it be at the cemetery, in the deceased’s house or at an [sic] hotel.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
faraire
-
Quotation: Pige na farairidh. Notes: whisky for use at wakes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
feadan
-
a small opening at the back of the kiln through which the wind blows for winnowing.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
feadraigeadh
-
at the height of having steam up in the old fishing drifters. The old fishing drifters with boilers being fed by coal fuel. When the fire-men had the boilers well fed with coal and the water in the boiler at the height of boiling point and force of steam, it showed on a dial by what was indicated as a feather – thus feadraigeadh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
feallag
-
making fun at someone. “Bha mi a’ deanamh feallag air.”
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
feamainn chìreanach
-
small curly sea-weed. This used to be boiled and given to cows. They were very fond of it and often went to the shore to eat it of their own accord. Sheep did the same. Each of the above sea-weeds is to be found at a certain level of low-water. Feamainn chìreanach is nearest high-water mark.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
feamainn shiabaidh
-
seaweed left at high tide used as potato fertiliser.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
fearail
-
Quot.: boirionnach fearail. Note: a woman who is good at men’s work.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
feisd
-
rope, made of heather at one time, for tying a cow while grazing. The end was fixed to a stick driven into the ground.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
fiabhras na siulla
-
women dying at childbirth. [NOTES: note added above ‘siulla’ – siubhla.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fideach
-
low lying land near the shore which is covered by the tide at times. Salt marsh.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fidealadh
-
Note: used of the tying together of two beams with rope. Also for the arrangement of the “sioman” at the end of a house.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fidean
-
[fidʹəṉ] Notes: (usually na fidean) ground on which grass grows and is covered at high tide.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fiughair
-
Quotation: (1) Bha fiughair agam ris an raoir. (2) Dé a bha fiughair agad ris? Notes: (1) I expected him last night. (2) What were you expecting? (H. Meek) Also Rinn e fiughair ris: He showed pleasure at seeing him.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fleasgach
-
a bachelor (best man at a marriage).
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fleasgach
-
Notes: best man at a wedding.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fleòdar
-
this was the old name in Point, Lewis for tin. A tin pail or basin used for milk would be ‘peile fleòdair’ and ‘mios fleòdair’. (Is it conceivable that at one time they had pewter utensils?) I do not hear the word now – if there are any tin pails, etc. – it is ‘peile tiona’, ‘mios tiona’.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
fo laidh
-
safe under cover. This may be a Lewis expression. It rhymes with ‘tigh’ as pronounced in Lewis. The ‘l’ is single as in ‘loch’. I’m not at all sure of the spelling.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
foinneach
-
[fonʹɑx] Quotation: Bha mi aige fad, fìnn, foinneach an latha. Notes: I was at it the whole day.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
folmadh
-
when working with clay this was the process whereby clay was slowly put into the mould for shaping purposes. Had to be careful not to put too much clay in at any one time.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fo’n t-sùil
-
looking at something with a squint.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
fraigh a’ bhalla
-
this refers to the outside wall at the top of a wall [sic]. [NOTES: ‘fraigh’ corrected to ‘fràigh’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fraochan
-
Notes: said it was the toecap of a shoe but more likely the perforated strip put across the shoe at the toecap.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
frasach
-
This was fixed on the wall and filled with hay which the sheep pulled through narrow slats and so avoiding waste. Set at an angle to the wall.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
frasachan
-
A wooden implement with serrated edge used for threshing one sheaf at a time. See diag. [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
froigh-shnighe
-
Notes: water seeping in at the top of the wall.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
froiseachan
-
[fɾɔʃɑxɑṉ] Quotation: “Chaneil sinn ach air an fhroiseachan an diugh.” Notes: (froiseachan: tied bundle of threshed corn) Said to a visitor who happened to come in at a mealtime when there wasn’t much to eat.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fruis
-
[fɾu̟ʃ] Quotation: Chaidh e seachad le fruis. Notes: He went by at great speed.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fruis
-
[fɾu̟ʃ] Quot.: “Chaidh e suas an rathad le fruis.” Note: at great speed.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fràig
-
children at play causing annoyance.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fròin
-
embroidery? This could be one explanation. Bha fròin ri na cùirteirean-leabadh, froineas. (I am afraid it’s seldom used if at all.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fuarag
-
given to children at Halloween. Consisted of cream and oatmeal. The last treat of the year since cream would not be readily available thereafter.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fuidheag
-
Note: piece at the beginning of a tweed and the end of the one in the loom previous to it, where the ends of the yarn are tied. Removed when the new warp is taken through and a piece of it woven.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fuigheag
-
[fu̜iɑɡ] Note: piece of waste cloth at the end of a tweed where the next tweed is tied in.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fuigheag
-
Notes: piece cut off at the end of a tweed when taken out of the loom.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fuigheagan
-
threads which were left over at the end of a bit of cloth.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fàd
-
depth of peat bog. Thig ceithir foidean as – 4 peat length deep. If so, 1st and 2nd layer on top, 3rd layer as gàradh, 4th layer at bottom.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
fàd a choimheadaidh
-
this refers to the thinnest peat that was cut at the end of each row. Quickest to dry and was used by the grass keeper in his shieling.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fàireachadh
-
“Bha mi a fàireachadh air.” - I was seeing [sic] [looking?] at him without him seeing me.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fàireachas
-
Notes: peering furtively at a person or thing.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fàldair
-
scythe. (Strathspey) Mr John M. Matheson gave me this word which he heard when living at Nethy Bridge.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fìleadh
-
Quot.: “’S ann air a tha a’ fìleadh.” Note: said of somebody full of go, working on something at a rapid rate. Same as “duine le collas air”.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fìnn
-
[sic] Quotation: Bha mi aige fad, fìnn, foinneach [fonʹɑx] an latha. Notes: I was at it the whole day.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fòidh
-
[f[ɔı]] Quot.: “a’ fòidh air feadh nan taighean”. Note: the poor people went round the houses at one time with a small bag collecting food, etc.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
fòlag
-
a word used in the north end of South Uist which means a pin used to hold the wheel on an axle. Same word as ‘sgiofair’ which is used at south end of South Uist.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gabh
-
Quotation: a’ gabhail comhtharran. Notes: taking bearings at sea.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gabh
-
Quotation: a’ gabhail mu’n teine. Notes: banking up the fire at night.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gabh
-
Quot.: “Gabh m’a cheann an dràsda.” Note: if one was doing a job (e.g. building a wall) and was finishing off for the day; rounding off whatever one was doing at the time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gabhdanach
-
poking at something.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
galar-nan-coig-oidhche
-
Notes: fatal illness in newly born children. Died usually about 5 days after birth. Probably due to lack of hygiene at birth – perhaps poison in the navel.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
garadh
-
Quotation: Coltach ris a’ chailleach a thug seachd bliadhna ga garadh fhein, nuair a chaidh i a mach thug aon oiteag air falbh i. Notes: toasting oneself at the fire. See oiteag.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
garstan
-
(gartan) Part of shore where sea-grass grows and is exposed at low tide: pasture attractive to cattle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
gathan gainnisg
-
dried sedge which was used as a lighted torch which was carried at Halloween.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gathan gainnisg
-
dried sedge. Carried as a lighted torch at Halloween.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gathan gannaisg
-
a kind of rough grass with a wheat-like ear. Personally I have not seen this in Uist. Must be present in Skye since Halloween boys gathered bunches of this and threw it at each other saying “Mo shaighead air do shaighead sa”. This was thought to prevent fairies from doing harm during the year.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gearradh
-
cutting the surround of a hole ‘on the leg’, that is at an angle, when shaping netting for repair, so reducing wastage.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
-
geilidh
-
[ɡʹɛli] Quot.: “’S ann air a tha ’n geilidh.” Note: said of a person in a great hurry or doing something at a fast rate.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
geimh-air-geimh
-
term associated with two unagreeable [sic] [disagreeable? disagreeing?] persons, under a slight effect of anger, irritable, retaliating at one another in a snorting unpleasant conversation. Tha iad ann an shiod [sic] geimh air geimh. – reference to two or more persons.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
geinn
-
Quotation: an geinn. Notes: square wooden pin at the end of the joiner’s bench. Close-fitting but could be hammered up and down to suit the thickness of the wood being planed or chiselled.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
geobadaich
-
at a loss for words. Not speechless as such. Not finding sufficient words which are required.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
geugaire
-
[ɡʹe:ɡəðə] Note: something to which a boat-rope is tied at a landing place. Could be a stone or between two stones where they are in contact.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
geuraich
-
Quotation: Bha mi ’ga gheurach [jıɑɾɑx]. Notes: no “-adh” at the end.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ghabh e anns an Dàil
-
he was hired at Dall.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gille
-
Quotation: gille pliobair [plıbiɾ]. Notes: a person who was at everybody’s beck and call.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gille
-
Quotation: an gille. Notes: best man at a wedding.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gille ceann beinnge
-
someone providing moral support at a ‘reiteach’.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
gille pliobair
-
an underling, to be distinguished from a message boy who had a higher status. The word hints at backwardness and gullibility regarding this person.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gille-mirean
-
Quotation: Tha thu na do ghille-mirean aige. Notes: Spinning top. Said of someone who is being used by another, always at his beck and call.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gille-nam-fud
-
? (at the moment)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gille-nan-sad
-
runaway? (at the moment)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gille-plibire
-
[ɡʹilʹəplıbıðə] Notes: a person who is at everybody’s beck and call and gets nothing in return.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
giort
-
Quot.: “Dh’fhalbh e air a’ ghiort [ɣwʴsṯ] fhéin.” Note: doing a thing at one’s own behest. (Is it “giort” or “diort”?) [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
glagan
-
Note: a stick attached at one end to the “bròg” [q.v.] in a grinding mill. The other end lay on the upper grindstone. As the stone turned it caused the “bròg” to vibrate, thus releasing the seed gradually into the “sùil” [q.v.].
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
glaisean clumhag na Bealltainn
-
birds huddling together at Beltane.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
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
-
glaodhain
-
potatoes with roots growing out of them at the beginning of summer.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
glas
-
Quot.: an glas mhór. Note: part of a sheep’s stomach. Thin at one end, getting wider towards the other end.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gloine na bliadhn’ ùire
-
prior to the proliferation of alcohol in people’s homes, a small glass was kept which was only taken out at New Year since this was one of the few occasions when alcohol was consumed, the other occasion being cattle sale day.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gobhar
-
Quotation: gobhar-chinn; a’ cur gobhar-chinn air cruach. Notes: a sheaf of corn opened out at the bottom and put at the top of a stack the ears underneath.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gobhar
-
Quotation: an gobhar-bhacach. Notes: the last sheaf of corn bound at harvest time. It used to be adorned.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
goigean
-
[ɡɔɡʹɑṉ] Notes: woollen wrap (knitted or crochet) coming to a point at each end and tasselled.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
goigean
-
[ɡɔɡʹɑṉ] Note: sort of knitted pixie with long tails which were crossed at the front and tied behind.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
goileach-gaoith (beag)
-
made with a small potato and strong feathers. The feathers were stuck in at all angles and it was thrown in a fairly strong wind.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
-
goinigear
-
Quotation: an goinigear [ə ɡɔ̣̈nʹiɡʹər]. Notes: the supernumerary digits at the back of a cow’s hoof.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gralag, na greallagan
-
a strong piece of wood with a strong iron band at each end to which the traces are linked. Another of the same in the centre facing backwards and to which the plough or harrow is fixed.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
grapa-crom
-
Notes: grape with prongs set at right angles to the handle for pulling manure, seaweed etc. out of carts.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
greathan latha
-
usually heard at dusk. “Tha greathan latha ann fhathast.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
greimichean
-
Quotation: na greimichean [ɡɾɤmiçəṉ]. Notes: the large holes at the mouth of a creel where the “ithris” was tied. Source: D. A. MacQueen, Balgarva, Eochdar, South Uist [?]. Date: 02/1969.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
griobadh
-
fish ‘communication’ at the end of a line in the fishing operation, (putting it this way) nibbling. Cha do dh’fhairich mi griobadh. [SLIP: Nibbling of fish at hook.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
grioban
-
[ɡðibɔṉ] Note: applied to a person, usually a boy, who is not as developed as he should be physically at his age.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
grobaire
-
someone who was not good at knitting.
Origin: Skye
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
grobhail
-
Quotation: “Dhia, nach iad tha grànda grobhail” – Catriona Mhór, on hearing Murdag Mhór’s description of the airmen at Broad Bay. Notes: Dw. has grabhail ‘horrible, causing horror, aversion or strong dislike’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gròbadh
-
makeshift repair of nets whilst at sea.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gròbadh ri cheile
-
temporary repair of nets at sea.
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
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
-
guilemanas
-
not losing control, your cool when at the mercy of a superior force. “Cha do chaill e a ghuileamanas.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
guite
-
a circular wooden scoop. Had an oblong addition at one end. Used as a scoop to put seed in bags. [NOTES: note added – = sgùirt.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gunna-crip
-
Notes: toy made from bamboo rod cut in half length-wise. Paper pellet at one end, stick lying in the groove, jutting out at the other end. Clapped in with the hand, pellet ejected.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gurach
-
a St Kildian word, but if it’s the same meaning [as garach q.v.] I am not prepared at the moment to say.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gurradh air a cheile
-
bickering at each other.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gàg
-
slit at the top of a trenail. Wedge placed here so that the nail expanded like a modern day rawlplug.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gàin’-an-latha
-
daybreak, (or at) sunrise. [See làr-an-latha.] Perhaps the two terms originated from one another. (Unheard now in Scalpay, old terms.) [SLIP: Prob. < gainnead an latha – ‘scarcity of day’. > daybreak, sunrise.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gàradh
-
peats laid half on top of each other at inner edge of bank.
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
gàradh
-
rows of peats on top of each other at front edge of bank.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
gèugaire
-
a very narrow cleft in a rock where a boat could be tied by slipping the rope down through this cleft and a knot tied in the rope at the back, where it came through – same idea as Paddy had when he tied a knot in his pig’s tail to stop it from going through a crack in the fence!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
gìogan
-
[ɡʹı:ɡɑṉ] Note: thistle. (very near dʹ at the beginning)
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
iarrtas
-
Air m’ iarrtas. At my request.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ibe
-
pollution, dirt which accumulates at the bottom of the sea and which when disturbed floats up just beneath the sea’s surface. Thereafter occupies a position called ‘eadar dha lionn’, neither sinking nor floating.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
idir
-
advb ‘at all’ : cha robh e air a dhòigh ~, ~, ~; cha robh e dona ~ air a dhèanamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
-
imrich
-
[ĩməðiç] Quot.: “Na chuir sibh a mach an imrich fhathast?” “An d’thug sibh dhachaidh an imrich fhathast.” Note: the clothing, utensils, etc. which were taken to the shieling at the beginning of summer and brought back at the end of the season.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
innsireachd
-
tale bearing, e.g. grassing on your mates at school.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
iochdar
-
Quotation: iochdar na h-àthadh. Notes: the end of the kiln at which the corn was put in.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
iomaire ceannachaidh neo bòrdairean
-
part of a field characterised by wet, soggy conditions in which grass flourished. Usually found at one end of the field.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
iosgaid do chois
-
this is directly behind the knee at the back of the leg. Exactly where the knee is bent.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
iris ()
-
[fem.] the creel strap – a two or three inch width of plaited twine with a worked loop at each end. A ‘de-luxe’ one would be of ‘gaoisde’ (horsehair) for the last word in comfort across the chest! Straps of leather or of sacking (iris poca) were inferior makeshifts.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
iteach
-
Quotation: an iteach. Notes: first row put on the creel, at the mouth.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
iuchair na cuibhle
-
knob at opposite end to wheel.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
iulla
-
[ȷu̜ɫə] Quot.: “Bha sinn ag iulla an raoir.” Note: fly-fishing from a boat, the rod itself pointing downwards into the water, the tip being at the required depth.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ladarn
-
[ɫɑtərn] forward, demanding. [NOTES: the slip has [ɫatərṉ].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
lag-na-sleisde
-
hollow at the back of the thigh.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
laghadh
-
[ˈɫɤəɣ] Quot.: “leth-bhotul agus e cruinn air an dàrna taobh agus laghadh ann air an taobh eile”. Note: also used of slight bend at the end of a boat plank where it fits on to the stem.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
laimhsich
-
Quotation: Tha i a’ laimhseachadh gu maith. Notes: said of a beast that had good points at shows, etc.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
laingear
-
[ɫɑ̃ĩɡʹɑð] Quot.: laingear Bhràgair, laingear Arnol, laingear Bharabhais. Note: understood as being the area uncovered at low tide, where shellfish were collected, etc.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lamraigeach
-
abounding in landing places by the sea-shore. From ‘lamaraig’ – a pier, jetty, or an appropriate place by or at the sea-shore where a boat could discharge material, anything. (Harris term, hardly used if ever now.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
laogh-coiseadh
-
Notes: calf at foot.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
laoidh
-
Quot.: “Laoidh nan cóig rann.” Note: doesn’t know much about it except that it was recited when the cloth was put on the roll. The person reciting it would slap down his hand at the end of the recitation and say “agus mar sin, agus mar sin”. Supposed to ward off evil spirits from the cloth.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
latha dubh (m)
-
Quotation: Thug mi latha dubh air ‘excerteadh’ an dé. Notes: worked very hard at it.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leaba laoigh
-
this refers to an old belief whereby people buried the matrix at a stream. This was thought to result in female calves being born.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leabag-an-eithir
-
a wee bed or lair on the shore for to hold a boat on at ebb tide, a space or ‘bed’ on the shore above water level, just to hold a boat on.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leabaidh-an-laoigh
-
Notes: enfolding membrane round calf at birth.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leac struan
-
a special slab on which the ‘struan’ was baked at St. Michael’s.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leac-doruis
-
flax [sic] stone [flagstone?], at a door.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leac-sheisreach
-
[lʹɛkheʃəɾɑx] Note: pl. [lʹɛkəṉʃeʃəɾɑx]. Flat stones put under the cattle to prevent them from getting stuck in the manure. (At a time when earth wasn’t allowed to be taken in to put under them.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leac-thachais
-
Note: upright stone at a shieling for cows to scratch themselves.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leag
-
Quotation: Cha do leag mi mo shúil air idir. Notes: I didn’t happen to see it at all.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leag
-
Quotation: a’ leagail a’ bhuntàta. Notes: planting the potatoes – the act of laying them down at intervals in the furrows.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
leum-nan-ceithir
-
Quotation: Bha an t-each aig leum-nan-ceithir. Notes: at the gallop.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
liaghra ?
-
1. revolving on floor, 4 arms with holes (2 or more) and pegs on which hank was spread revolving to make a ball for the warping frame. 2. hand ‘crois-iarna’ shape, 24 inches with a cross stick at either end (12 inches long) set at opposite angles; purpose to make hank of the yarn on the pearna (reel) of spinning [wheel?]. [NOTES: it is not clear if the above explanation refers to ‘liaghra’ (blue ink) or ‘crois-iarna’ (black ink) or both.]
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
-
liaradh
-
used for winding the spun yarn. It had 3 spokes underneath a roundish piece of wood with a spike at the top where two long bits of wood were laid crossways with holes in them and with wooden pins in the holes to keep the hank until it was wound into a ball.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lias
-
[lʹiɑs] Notes: torch made from a stick with a cloth at the end, dipped in oil and lit.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
liathag
-
the leafy seaweed part at one end of a tangle.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
liathas
-
an item received free like wood on the shore (say) and set aside for to be taken some other time: thence someone else coming and taking it. [SLIP: When an item has been in a place freely for the taking (eg. wood on the shore) and set aside to be picked up at a later date – and then someone else comes along and takes it!]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
linne
-
Quotation: linne thuathal. Notes: whirlpool, as at the bottom of a waterfall.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lion-aoig
-
colour of death or something of death. I am not too sure of its meaning. Tha lion-aoig air. The expression is rare if at all heard or documented?
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lionadh
-
support at the front of a boat attached to the keel.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lionn- or liùnn-na-biast
-
this word or term came across my mind at the moment, but at the same time I cannot remember the equivalent in English or the meaning in English. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Catch-word: lionn-na-biast.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lipinn
-
[lʹiçpĩnʹ] Notes: a small box 8"-10" sq. at the top tapered to 6" sq. at the base. It was used as a measure for grain when feeding horses.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lodair
-
[ɫɔd̪əɾ] Notes: a wooden collecting ladle used in church. (Seen in church at Aird, Sleat.)
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
loidhneachan
-
ropes that were tied to the bit in a horse’s mouth. Held by the ploughman at the plough’s handles. Used to steer and turn the horse in the necessary direction.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
loireag
-
female; a female also attributed to Celtic mythology considered a supernatural agent present at various domestic works: at the waulking of tweed etc. It may have derived from loireach – word used on Scalpay still is [sic] thus: Nach e tha loireach – unclean or rather partly cleaned.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
longag
-
I am not quite sure of this one either. I know it refers to wood, a ship-model, or a piece of rail-wood, in some wooden implement, a handle part, perhaps of a churn (crannachan). I cannot at the moment say exactly. I have the word: it was used or common in past years. [SLIP: ‘Possibly refers to something made of wood – a ship-model or the handle of a churn’ – informant unsure.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
losaid
-
[ɫoswdʹʒ] Notes: a round wooden ashet for holding potatoes at mealtimes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
losgadh
-
phosphorescence. (Burning, the burning in Tarbert English.) This reveals the presence of herring at night, hence ‘Gheobh sinn iad ’san losgadh.’
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lothach
-
bedraggled. (Pronounced with English ‘th’ sound, i.e. ‘loth’ as in English ‘cloth’ but with the Gaelic double ‘l’ sound at the beginning of the word.)
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
luamhgha
-
[ɫũɑ̃ɣə] Note: part of sheep’s entrails used in the making of marags. A part closed at the narrow end, opening out to a wide mouth. This mouth is stitched across. (This is not a’ ghlas mhór or a’ ghlas bheag. [See glas.])
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
luicheannan (sic)
-
[ɫu̜çən̪əṉ] Quotation: àm bristeadh na luicheannan. Notes: at the time of budding.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
luid
-
[ɫu̟tʃ] Notes: a woman who was bad at housework.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
luidhainn
-
a wooden board to which a rod would be attached. Situated near the vent at the top of an old house which had a fire in the centre of the room. The board would be adjusted according to wind direction so that the smoke would be carried away. [NOTES: note added above ‘luidhainn’ – luidhein.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lunn
-
air a lunn fàgail – at the point of leaving. [NOTES: the slip has ‘air a’ lunn fàgail’. Definition: ‘On the point of leaving’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lunn (pl. lunnan)
-
Notes: a support for carrying coffin. One fixed at each end. Source: Tiree. Date: 1974.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lurga-lom
-
[ɫu̜ɾəɡə ɫ[ɤu̟]m] Quot.: a’ toirt a mach a’ lurga-lom. Note: when a beast (cow) was killed there was a test of strength only the strongest could attempt – that of severing the leg at the knee by twisting the lower part of the leg with the hands. (In Uig known as “a’ toirt a mach an dòrn bhuar”.) There is some confusion as to whether the knee joint or the “ankle” joint was the one severed – some say one, others the other. Puilean says definitely the knee joint.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lus a’ chorracha-mille
-
Notes: not in Dw. A fern-like plant with long roots, and globules or nodules on the ends of the roots. Those were dug up, scraped and eaten – or stored and eaten later, like nuts. Found, e.g. at the Ard Fhalasgair, Keose. Cf. MacBain, sub carra-meille (in Dwelly).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
là-iasad
-
[ɫɑ·iɤsd̪] Quot.: “O, ’s e là-iasad a bh’ann an diugh!” Note: if one got a fine day in a spell of bad weather. Would say this if it looked threatening again at the end of the fine day.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
làn siubhal
-
a vessel travelling at full speed.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
làr-an-latha
-
daybreak, (or at) sunrise.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
làrach-at-a-bhuinn-duibh
-
a mark left after the disappearance of the swelling, festering wound.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
lìte
-
taken at supper time. Made with oatmeal or Indian meal.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
-
lòchran
-
located in Roman Catholic chapels. Usually located beside the tabernacle. A red coloured glass cylinder with a candle burning inside at night.
Location: South Uist, Geirinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lùbach
-
hinge at bottom of a door.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
lùthag
-
[ɫu̜:ɑɡ] Note: a device put on a sheep or lamb to slow it down – a tight piece of rope round the leg at the upper joint. Also applied to pieces of string of [sic] [or?] rope tied by some round the trouser legs just below the knee to keep them up.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
madadh
-
Notes: clam. Collected only at very low tides in the spring.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
magaireachd
-
poking fun at someone.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maide eich
-
a twitch used for controlling a horse when it was being shod. Made of a wooden handle with a rope at one end attached to the horse’s face. When it was twisted, it tightened so as to hurt the horse.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maide mairt
-
at the end of a stall in a byre. Once the beast had entered the stall this wooden door was lowered to prevent straying out of the stall.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maide suidhe
-
wooden seat at front of a cart.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maide-broillich
-
Quotation: am maide-broillich or am broilleach. Notes: bracket at joint between stempost and keel.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maide-eàrraidh
-
[mɑ̃dʹəȷɑ:ri] Note: a stick with prongs sticking out at either end for keeping tweed stretched from side to side while in the loom.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maide-feannaig
-
Notes: stick which projects at the end of the ridgepole to secure the rope tying down the thatch.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maide-feannaig
-
Note: the piece of wood protruding from the thatch at the end of the “gath-droma”, round which the thatching rope went to cover the end of the house.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maide-fithich
-
stick running through thatch at either end.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
maide-fithich
-
Note: the stick jutting up from the thatch at the end of a blackhouse (ceann an tighe).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maide-starraig
-
at each end of the roof of a thatched cottage.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maide-starraig
-
Note: stick jutting up at the end of a black-house. Thatching rope put round it.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mairt
-
I’ve heard this word used in connection with cattle and rather think it was a cow with calf at food but would not be quite sure.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
-
manaig
-
wooden handle of ‘cas chròm’. Also used in the context of an old gate ready to fall apart. Former definition is prevalent at the north end of South Uist, esp. Lochcarnan, whilst the latter definition is found at southern end of the island.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
maothan
-
the tender bit at the bottom of a horse’s foot. Could be painful if a horse was badly shod.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
marann (-an)
-
looking at the darker side of things, e.g. “Tha i dol a shileadh a maireach Iain.” “Och eisd tha thusa làn de na marannan.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
marbhadh a’ bhodaich
-
a game for boys. The player stretched face downwards on the floor and put his two clenched fists, one beyond and touching the other at his own head, thus measuring his own length plus the breadth of two fists. This was marked – one mark at his toes and the other at the second fist. A wooden peg was set up at the ‘fist’ mark and the player took up position at the other mark (where his toes had been). He was given two short pointed pegs – one in each hand – shaped like the ‘dealgan’ used for twisting yarn [see illustration below] and balancing his body forwards on these lifting one at a time, he had to stretch his full length and knock the ‘bodach’ down, without overbalancing and collapsing on the floor. The crucial point came when he was about fully stretched. He was asked “Càite bheil thu dol?” He replied, “Tha mi dol a mharbhadh a bhodaich.” “De fhads’ a tha thu dol a ruighinn?” and balancing on one peg the poor player had to lift the other one and point to one ear, and putting that one down and balancing on it, he had to do the same with the other peg. While he was doing this he replied, “Tha gu na cluais ud, agus gu na cluais ud.” Not many could finish the game!
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
-
mart
-
Quotation: mart gamhnach. Notes: a farrow cow – may have had a calf at one stage.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mathair shiomain
-
a thick rope made of heather circulated round the wall of a thatched house. Secured at the bottom of the thatch. Other ropes were attached to this which went across the back of the house.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
meacharan
-
wee cuddies (old reference occasionally heard today: if heard at all). [SLIP: Small cuddies – old-fashioned word, seldom used now.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
meadal
-
Quotation: Rinn an cù meadal rium. Notes: showed pleasure at seeing me, e.g. wagging tail.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
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
-
mein-àridh
-
two small boards with steel [?] pins at each end laid across the woven tweed on the ‘gorm-an-ìuchd’ [q.v.] to keep the tweed edges straight.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
meurlan
-
[mjɤ:ɫɑṉ] Quotation: meurlan iarach, meurlan uarach or àrd. Notes: right-angled piece cut off at the tip of a sheep’s ear.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mial-chraogais
-
used on Scalpay, but not now. I am not prepared at the moment to say what it means. Of the louse species? Perhaps. You may have a clue yourself. I have heard it ‘as a boy’. I may have noted its meaning years back. I think it’s one of the compound words of which I haven’t discovered a meaning or its meaning rather. [SLIP: Not used any longer. Uncertain at to precise meaning but some kind of louse.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
miaraide
-
[mĩɑ̃ridʹə] Quot.: “Ith do bhiadh, a’ mhiaraide bhochd.” Note: someone who lacks appetite, picks at his food. Poor specimen.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
miarsam
-
[m[ĩɑ̃]ʴsəm] Quot.: “pìob mhiarsam”. Note: a pipe made of meerschaum (a creamy clay used especially for pipe bowls (Dict.)). Commonly used at one time. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mih [sic]
-
a balance used for measuring amounts of wool. A simple bit of wood with a hook at each end placed on a wooden stand.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mill-eàrraidh
-
[mĩlʹɑ:ɾi] Note: two pieces of wood separate but tied together with string, can be arched at the point where string is attached, the nails at each end put through edges of cloth in loom, then pieces of wood flattened. To keep cloth stretched. “Mìr-earraidh” in S. Lochs.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ming
-
pronunciation of miùg (whey) at Melness.
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mionaid
-
nn ‘minute’ : ‘at once’: chuir sinn às dha sa mh.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
-
mios crochadh nan cliabh
-
a saying indicative of bad weather at the beginning of May. As a result the creels were not used and subsequently hung in rows.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mo dhiombach agad
-
I am annoyed at you.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
-
mogain
-
socks which were open at the front.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
moine-bhàn
-
mòine dhomain gun móran teas agus dualach an t-uisge ghabhail an deigh an tiormachadh. [NOTES: “mhoine-bhàn” and its definition appear at the bottom of page 3 and “moine-bhàn” and its definition at the top of page 4; they may be meant to be just one item.]
Origin: [Taransay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
mu dheireadh is mo dhiù
-
at long last.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mullach làn àrd
-
moon at its height.
Category: Sìde / Weather
-
musal
-
[mũ̜səɫ] Notes: muzzle at the head of the plough.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
màdh
-
trumps at cards.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
màm
-
Note: (1) a swollen gland, e.g. under the armpit or at the top of the thigh. (2) also used for rounded hills on the moor.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mànran
-
alone, at own will, retired, on holiday.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
màrlspàic
-
an iron spike tapering at one end. Used for splicing wire. Also had wooden equivalent for splicing rope.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mìr-eàrraidh
-
[mĩðȷɑ:ri] Note: sticks (2) with nails stuck in them at either end to keep the cloth stretched broadways as it was woven.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
mùig
-
Quotation: a’ coimhead air fo na mùigean [mũ̟:ɡʹəṉ]. Notes: looking at a person from under lowered eyebrows, with head lowered.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
na géibheals
-
ropes at end of net.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
na h-iomalan
-
piston like instruments in a loom. Wooden at the top and bottom with the rest consisting of wire. These kept the colours apart when weaving.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
na hems
-
hames (tied at top with hemp).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
na ruifeanaich
-
Quotation: frayed skin at cuticle-edge on fingers. Source: Lewis usage recalled. Date: noted 14/05/1983.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
na sgrathan
-
These were square pieces of green sod or turf thinly cut with a sharp kind of spade called a ‘caibe-làir’. There was an art in the cutting of a ‘sgrath’ and an ordinary spade would not do. The ‘sgrathan’ were laid on top of the rafters, ‘taobhain’ [q.v.] and ‘maidean-ceangail’ [q.v.] in a very methodical way, so that every inch of wood was covered. Finally the thatch, rushes or heather, was carefully spread on top of ‘sgrathan’ and held down by heather ropes, ‘sioman fraoich’, in criss-cross pattern. To the ends of these ropes, which dangled over the top of wall below, heavy stones called ‘acraichean’ were attached to keep thatch secure in place in time of storm. If the least flaw was detected in a ‘sgrath’ after it was cut, it was at once discarded as unsuitable for the roof of a building.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
na séistir
-
at their peak. Referring to the prosperity of the kelp industry.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
nad dheannruith
-
at full speed.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
nòs
-
[nɔ:s] Quotation: Tha ’m bata [sic] as a’ nòs. Notes: the channel at the top of a beach into which a boat was hauled. [ɔ̃:s] in Skye. George MacKenzie connects it with Norse “noust”.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
obraich
-
vb ‘work’ : vbl nn: bha i ’n deoghaidh obrachadh cruaidh [‘hard at it’]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
-
ochdnar
-
Quotation: “Deanamaid ùrnaigh, is gabhaidh Dòmhnall Aonghuis Bhig òran, is bidh rìdhl’ againn, ’s bidh ochdnar againn.” The Rev. Donald MacCallum, presiding at a concert in Keose. Notes: eightsome reel. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ocstar
-
supports under seats at stern and stem. In older boats this extended right round the boat.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
oidhche
-
Quotation: as t-oidhch’. Notes: at night.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
oidhche na h-imrich
-
Notes: the final night at the shieling, the eve of returning home, a night of feasting, singing, dancing, courting (e.g. the youth of Achmore and Luerbost would gather at the Keose shielings, between Soval and Cliascro.) Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
oiteag
-
Quotation: Coltach ris a’ chailleach a thug seachd bliadhna ’ga garadh fhéin; nuair a chaidh i a mach thug aon oiteag air falbh i. Notes: puff of wind. (A man who had painstakingly amassed a fortune and blew it at one go, or who died and his sons squandered it.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
oiteag (f)
-
could also be a whirlwind as experienced at springtime and harvest-time.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
-
orasda
-
another word I am not certain of; I heard [it] being spoken but I am not at the moment prepared to say what is its true definition, but I suggest (to me) it’s the place on which dung is placed when discharged from the byre or shed, or material put aside for convenience or some other reason. (It was pronounced with the [?] long accent?) As hear [sic] I note it to be oir aisde – air a chuir air an oir aisde. I am afraid the word is not used now with us.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
os-cionn-nam-bòrd
-
deck cargo. This was a term in connection with sailors of the schooner days at sea, which became obsolete, yes, the term. Na bha os cionn nam bòrd – the hull.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
osann
-
a door at one end of a creel which is opened to remove the lobster. [NOTES: corrected to ‘osan’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
paidhrigeadh
-
a term in road building. Refers to the gravel and debris that would accumulate at the side of a road as traffic passed through. Workmen used to shovel this gravel back into the middle of the known [sic]. Maybe this is a borrowing from ‘repair’ in English.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
peabladh (-aich)
-
as in a person being messed up, e.g. being subjected to having mud thrown at him – “Bha mi air mo pheabladh.” A useful word in connection with traditional activities at ‘stag’ nights.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
peallan
-
Notes: home-made tar brush, made from a piece of stick with layers of cloth wrapped round it at the end.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
peilear
-
[pelɑð] Quot.: “Tha e ag obair aig peilear a’ bheatha.” Note: He is working at full steam.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
peileastar
-
a game of marksmanship. A flat stone was put up in a prominent position, perhaps on a boulder. The competitors lined up at an agreed upon range, with so many stones apiece. Each in turn tried to hit the target, known as ‘geal’. This game usually took place on the shore where there was plenty of ammunition!
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
-
phónadh
-
phoning (Scalpay). New word, while I termed others as old words if you will accept such terms at the moment. [NOTES: slipped under ‘phón’ with ‘a’ phónadh’ as the quotation.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
pige
-
Quotation: pige na farairidh. Notes: “piggy” of whisky for use at a wake.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
piorsa
-
The iron band at ends of swingle trees. See diag [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
piorsa
-
[pjwrsə] [sic] Notes: the iron band with the loop on it at the end of the swingle-tree.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
plibire
-
Quotation: gille-plibire. Notes: a person who is at everyone’s beck and call and gets nothing in return, a “dogsbody”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
pliobair
-
[plibiɾ] Notes: a person who was at everybody’s beck and call.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
plùmair
-
the large buoy which was at the end of the creel rope.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
poit
-
Quotation: poit a’ roth. Notes: the water channel at the bottom of the mill wheel.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
poll
-
Quotation: poll-buirean [p[ɤu]ɫbu͎:ɾɑṉ]. Notes: a patch of ground churned into mud by the stamping of deer at the rutting season.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
poll uachdar
-
is the bog opened at a higher level to ‘poll iochdar’ [q.v.].
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
pollag na Samhna
-
at Halloween a hole was dug in the ground by which your future fortune could be judged. If on the next day a worm was found in the said hole this indicated good luck. However, if the hole was empty this was a sign of bad luck.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
port marghain
-
a gravel, shingle bank at one end of a loch.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
post
-
Quotation: a’ cadal ris a’ phost. Notes: sleeping at the outer edge of the best [?]. Same as “a’ cadal ris a’ bhòrd”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
preasa nan luch
-
an inferior type of grass considered to be of poor weatherproof quality. Therefore it was always put at the bottom of a haystack and never at its top.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
pronnastan
-
sulphur. Used to make a poultice. Applied to humans as well as animals. Used for rashes, boils, warts. Also given to young people to keep potential diseases at bay.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
pràisde
-
sea bent rope tied round the thatched house at horizontal intervals. “Thig còmhla rium a chuir pràisd(e) air an taigh.”
Location: North Uist, Grèinatobht [Grenitote]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
puta-suab
-
Note: marker buoy on fishing lines. Always floating. “Puta-sàs”, the one at the end of the “bràighe”, might be underwater.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
puta-sàs
-
Quot.: am puta-sàs. Note: small buoy at the end of the “braighe” [sic – cf. bràighe above], or rope from the end of the small- or great-line, keeping as directly above the “cruaidh” as possible. Sometimes underwater. “Puta suab” larger, a marker-buoy.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
pùnntadh
-
kept in an enclosure. I have heard an old lady referring to her hens: Iad air a punntadh ann a shid (enclosure) ’s nach iad a mach – at seed-planting time. [NOTES: slipped under ‘pùnndadh’.] [SLIP: Kept in an enclosure.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
rachdan
-
[rɑxkɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: pl. rachdainn. Notes: remains of tree stumps found at the bottom of the lower layer of peat.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ramh-sgollaidh
-
having lost one oar the remaining oar was placed in a V shaped indentation at a boat’s rear. The oar would be moved from side to side bringing the boat to shore. [NOTES: corrected to ‘ràmh-sgolaidh’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ramhaic
-
Quotation: “Bha e a’ ramhaicheadh [rɛ̃viçci] rium.” Notes: He was bawling at me.
Origin: Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
rath-dorch
-
Note: period consisting of the last few days of the moon’s wane and the first few days of its return plus the time it is not seen at all.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
rathad
-
Quotation: Cha deidheadh e ’na rathad idir. Notes: He wouldn’t go near him at all.
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ri
-
prep. ‘to; at;: bhiodh esan ~ uinneagan, dhèanadh e uinneag; cha bhiodh fhios agam-as fo Dhia na Glòrach dè an dòigh a rachainn ris; tha sin ri dhèanamh aige fhathast
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
-
ri mir an uisge
-
at the height of the rain.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
riabhach
-
Quotation: Tha iad cho riabhach. Notes: ‘at daggers drawn’.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
riaghladh
-
Quot.: “a’ riaghladh a’ bhùird leis an uisge-bheath”. Note: serving drink at a wedding.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
riarachadh
-
Notes: bread or biscuits, cheese and whisky given to mourners at a funeral.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
riarachadh
-
Notes: serving out drinks at weddings, funerals, etc.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
riaraich
-
Quotation: a riarachadh [riɤɾɑxu̜] nam bùird. Notes: serving at the Communion tables.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
riaraichte
-
Served up at table.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
richeanach
-
ragnails, ragged skin at base of finger-nails (N.E.); rifeineach (Uist); righinneach (Arran, Kintyre, etc.). Slender “ch” commonly reduced to gh.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
riochdachadh an tobair
-
at Easter different flowers placed round the well for the purpose of keeping evil spirits at bay.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ris
-
Notes: Thubhairt mise ris. – to him. Leig e ris dha. – he revealed to him. Tha e ris an deoch. – addicted to drink. Co bha ris? – Who was at him? (injuring him, words or blows) Tha an talamh ris. – seen (in time of snow). Leig e e féin ris. – he unclothed himself (e.g. when going to swim). Chan eil math a bhi ris. – There is no use arguing with him. Bha dùil aige ris. – he was expecting it. Bha càirdeas aige ris. – he was related to him. Bha e ag radh rithe. – he was saying to her. Feuchaidh e ris. – he will attempt to do it. Chuir e ’n t-aodach ris an teine. – at the fire. ’S math a chaidh e ris. – he dealt with him in a becoming manner! Cha bhi gnothuich agam ris. – I will take nothing to do with it.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
rodhanaich na Samhna
-
the calm period at the end of autumn.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
roidire
-
taking a run and a jump at something, e.g. jumping into a large load of hay.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
roill
-
Notes: used of strong-smelling ooze from fish which has been lying for a time (even a few hours). Also of thick spittle at cow’s mouth. Hence roilleach. Dw. has ròil ‘slaver’ (from DMy, Lewis). Also roille-chraos ‘slavering mouth’. Source: heard in conversation with Murdo Ferguson of Portvoller, Lewis. Date: 10/05/1969. (Also John MacArthur, Bayble – October 1970)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
roill
-
[r[ɔi]l] Quotation: a’ [r[ɔi]l] a’ bhàrr dhearg. Notes: said by G.C. to be abbreviation for ‘ruaimleadh’ – the effect the ground swell had on the tangle at the time of the Equinox. It stirred it up. (Heard in Tiree as roill.) [NOTES: the note in brackets in second hand.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
roilleach
-
Notes: slavering at the mouth.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
rooch
-
to strip of money. Applied to winning at marbles, etc. ‘Rùisg’.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
rotach
-
Quotation: Thàinig e le rotach. Notes: He came at speed.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ruaimleachadh
-
A ribald ‘oran basaidh’ recorded at a luadhadh in Uist in 1951: Hug hoireann ó, ’s e m’aighear i (ABA refrain) / ’S e Raghnall théid a laighe leat / ’S e … C. a fhuair thu / ’S e Iain Nill Mhoir a nì do ruaimleachadh (as far as I can make out). Have you instances of ‘ruaimleachadh’ in this sense?
Location: Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ruinnse
-
[rɤ̃ĩʃ] Note: the projection at the end of the spine.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ruisealachadh
-
rushing, haste in housework. Bha mi ruisealachadh a stigh, leis an obair – ref. from a female at home.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ròdhanaich na Samhna
-
have described this previously. In addition to that, sea bent (muran) was ripe at this time of year and large amounts of this would be cut and taken home.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ròmach
-
rough. (Aird) A building at Belladrum, with very jagged stones, was known as “an taigh ròmach”.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ròmhanaich
-
[sic] Quotation: Romhanaich na Samhna. Notes: applied to quiet period at the end of autumn.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
ròpa trom
-
the rope at the bottom of the net.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
rùsg
-
Quotation: Bha mi aig an rùsg. A’ rùsg nan caorach. Notes: at the clipping of the sheep (no ‘adh’ at the end).
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
rùsgadh
-
removing the turf to get at the soft peat.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
sabh
-
[sɛv] Notes: aroma, e.g. of herring at sea when the oil comes to the surface after the dogfish have been at them.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sacan
-
a strip cutting from a sack. (I am not quite sure of this one at the moment.) [SLIP: Uncertain – but probably a strip cut from a sack.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
salamantars
-
giving unruly blows. Thug i na salamantars sin oirre – referring to two boats in collision, the one or the stoutest coming at speed and giving the other na salamantars.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
samhnag
-
a bonfire which was lit at Halloween. Not sure as regards its purpose.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sbàrr , sparra-ghaoith
-
[?] cross-piece at the top of the casan-ceangail [q.v.].
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
scobhsa
-
Notes: stones at side of fire, sometimes whitened with lime.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
scuidsaireachd
-
messing about almost, similar to ‘luidreadh’. Heard this being used in the context of women making tea at a whist drive – “Bha mi a’ scuidsaireachd aig tì.” [NOTES: there is (g) added above ‘c’ in ‘scuidsaireachd’. Not clear if this refers to a variant spelling or pronunciation.]
Location: North Uist, Hoghagearraidh [Hougharry]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
scumar
-
(scoo-mar) a small net on a circular piece of wire at the end of a long pole for lifting clams.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
scummar(n)
-
an instrument used for catching clams. Long wooden handle with net at end giving a bag effect. [NOTES: note added in pencil: sgumair.]
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
seacanaich
-
Quot.: seacanaich na Samhna. Note: a calm spell of weather in November. Houses were thatched at this time. (Put also under Samhainn.)
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
searmon-traisg
-
fast day sermon at a communion festival.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
seot
-
[ʃɔt̪] Quotation: Bha an saoghal aige air a sheot. Notes: He had everything at his disposal.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
seotal
-
[ʃɔt̪əɫ] Quotation: seotal na ciste. Notes: a small compartment at one end of a chest under the lid. It was about 6" deep for keeping jewellery, etc. in it.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
seusdair
-
[ʃe:sd̪əɾ] Quotation: seusdair sruth reothairt. Notes: spring tide at the height of its power – surge.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
seusdar
-
at its peak, e.g. a business venture. “Bha e aig a sheusdar.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
seòl na speal
-
piece of canvas mounted on a wire behind blade at snathe to ensure that all grass was swept forward.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
seòlaid
-
harbour. (Very seldom heard if at all in conversation now.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgairteal
-
Quotation: duine sgairteal. Notes: nimble, quick at doing things.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgaolan
-
[sɡw̃:ɫɑṉ] Notes: “skull” – a basket made of wire with a handle at each end. Used for turnips, potatoes, etc. “sgùlan” in other parts.
Origin: Nethy Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgeap
-
[sɡʹɑp] Note: bag of woven straw, slung at one’s side, for cuddy-fishing.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgeimheadh
-
[sɡɛ̃fəɣ] Quot.: Thug an cù sgeimheadh thuige. Note: lunged at him, snarling.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgeir
-
Notes: rock above the tide at low water.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgeir-nicDhuinn
-
place-name, name of a sea rock at Scalpay (MacQueen’s rock). (I have given an example of place-names at Scalpay, hereon, to show how words came to be applied likewise, which is attributable generally, and perhaps could point to some findings that could lead us to understand the variety of ways words were used.) [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgeir’ with ‘Sgeir Nic Dhuinn’ as the quotation. Definition: MacQueen’s Rock (Scalpay).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgeir-reamhar
-
‘fat rock’?; place-name, a sea rock at Scalpay.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgeir-thràghad
-
Notes: rock which is sunken at high tide.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgeith runnaig
-
a shooting star indicating bad weather. Could be seen in the late afternoon or at night. A shower of bright sparks would follow this star.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgeoilm
-
story. From ‘sgeòil’ perhaps ‘sgeul am’. (Seldom used if at all now in Harris.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgialag
-
small short story. (Seldom used if at all now in Harris.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgian
-
the cutting blade, the lower edge (faobhar) of which cuts the inner and larger plane of the individual peat, while the ‘sàil’ [q.v.] (at right angles to the ‘sgian’) cuts the narrower edge.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
sgian cubaireachd
-
used for cleaning out the gaps between the wooden straps in a barrel. For example salt would be removed from barrels used for curing fish by this implement. Sharp circular blade at one end with a wooden handle. [NOTES: ‘cubaireachd’ corrected to ‘cùbaireachd’.]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgiath
-
Quotation: Sgaoil e a’ sgiathan cho fada gus an sgàinn [sɡɛ̃:nʹ] e. Notes: He tried to take on too much at the one time.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgiathachadh
-
Quot.: “Tha sgiathachadh turaidh ann.” Note: rain progressively lessening to no rain at all.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgileid
-
[sɡʹilɑdʹʒ] Notes: tin mug sold by tinkers. Used for drinking tea and for filling the “bucaid” at the well.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgileil
-
[sɡilɔl] Quotation: Tha e sgileil air… Notes: He is good at…
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgilin
-
a shilling; but sgilin Albannach = peighinn Breatannach (is Sasunnach); tastan Albannach = sgilin Sasunnach (is Breatannach); but “shilling” is the meaning of the word sgilin at all times; when applied to British “penny”, it does not mean “penny” but “Scots shilling”.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgiomalair
-
[sɡʹw̃məlɑð] Quot.: Bhiodh ceithir sgiomalairean anns a’ bheart. Note: the four arms activated by the tappets at one end and attached to the bottom of the heddles, pulling them down.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgitheal
-
Notes: used of demountable units at Portree High School. Cf. sgritheal. (Heard in Broadford.)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgiurrghail
-
[sɡʹu̜ru̜ɣəl] Note: applied to the noise of a lot of people talking at once (babble) or, e.g. the cackling of hens.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgiurrulaich
-
[sɡʹu̜ru̜ɫiç] Note: applied to the noise of a lot of people talking at once (babble) or, e.g. the cackling of hens.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgliurach
-
unworthy woman. Perhaps hinting at moral depravity.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sglobaire
-
a person who is always foaming at the mouth.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgobadh
-
Notes: nibbling of fish at hook.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgollabaichean
-
a plywood overlap at the top of a dresser had these wavy designs running across it. Also applied to a similar design at the bottom of dresses.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgolladh
-
a large groove at rear of a boat. ‘Ramh sgollaidh’ placed here.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgolladh
-
Quotation: a’ sgolladh [əsɡoʔɫəɣ]. Notes: propelling with one oar at the stern (sculling?).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgriabadh
-
scratch, at the moment but eventually the mark disappears.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
sgriob-pòig
-
in connection with romance. Thàinig sgrìob [sic] pòig orm. (I am afraid the expression isn’t used at all at all now in Harris.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgrìoban
-
[sɡɾı:bɑṉ] Note: pole with three hooks in triangular fashion at one end, used to recover fishing lines or nets.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sguaid
-
[sɡu̟ədʹ] Quotation: duine a’ dol seachad le sguaid. Notes: someone walking past in a hurry; at a good pace.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgurral
-
squirrel (animal). English abstraction and English from? [sic] or vice versa, etc. etc. The species as such is not to be seen, perhaps seldom (if at all) in Harris. The word may have its etym.?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sguta
-
Quotation: a’ sguta deiridh. Notes: loose board used as a seat at the stern, rested on the “taobh-shlat”.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgàileadh de fhodar
-
when hardening seeds on a kiln a covering of fodder was placed on the wooden straps (ciuillan [sic]), which stretched halfway across the circle at the top of a kiln. This prevented the seed from being burnt.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgàir
-
a large, wide bay. Example at Stoneybridge.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sgòd
-
a rope at the lower end of the sail. Tied round one of the seats and loosened accordingly when the wind rose.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sheafaraidh
-
horses tied on a tether in this bit of land which could be on the croft. Would be tethered here at night. [NOTES: corrected to ‘seafaraidh’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
shit
-
sheet, (sail of a boat), the ‘stern’ rope of a sail at the point where it is pulled in in the stern to tighten the sail, 1. or at the point of the bottom edge of the sail in the stern of the boat, 2. at the point between the outer edge of the sail and the bottom edge in the stern of the boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
shó
-
chew piece of tobacco. Tobacco chewing was common among the islanders of the Scottish, or the Outer Isles of Scotland, from the, or at about the beginning of the present century, or the late 19th century.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sian-gréinidh
-
Note: a very light warm shower of rain falling with the sun out at the same time.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
siladh
-
a wooden seat at the rear of a boat which could be removed when it was being baled (taomadh).
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sile
-
Notes: piece of flooring at the stem of a boat.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
silidh
-
an extra seat at the back or front of a boat.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
similear-crochaidh (m)
-
canopy over fire (on floor at end of room).
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
siocaire
-
[ʃıkəðə] Quot.: Chaneil ann dheth ach siocaire grannda. Note: a person who is lazy, good for nothing but impertinent at the same time.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
siol-mholl
-
Notes: refuse of grain/chaff at first winnowing. Might be put through the riddle again to extract all the seed.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
siollachan
-
Notes: muzzle at the head of the plough.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sireap
-
syrup. Syrup and hot water mixed was used for cold, drinking it before retiring at night.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sitheadh
-
[ʃiəɣ] Quotation: a’ dol seachad le/aig sitheadh. Notes: going past at a good speed.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
siubhal
-
Quotation: Bha siubhal sith aice. Notes: some were supposed to have this power. If one glanced away for a very short time from looking at such a person and then looked again, they seemed to have covered an incredible distance for such a short time.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
skooking at
-
staring at one.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
slabhraidh
-
[fem.] the hanging chain above the fire on which pots were suspended. I think it was also the name for the elongated iron hook at the end of the chain.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
slachdan
-
a type of rolling pin rounded at the bottom for mashing potatoes. Slachdan an laimh òinsich – any dangerous instrument.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
slaic
-
[sɫɑiçc] Quotation: Tha sinn aig slaic. Notes: heavy work. We are being kept at it.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
slat
-
Quotation: cabar-slait. Notes: his name for a stag which had antlers with no points on them, except, perhaps, for one at the base.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sluaisreadh
-
the movement of the sand on the ebb-in heavy seas; or the action of the sea on the sand – the heavy seas, the waves curling over it, ‘shovelling’ it back and fore? (My own definition at the moment.) [SLIP: Movement of sand by sea.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
slupranaich
-
e.g. slupranaich air bainne gort. ‘Slocking at sour milk.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
slìs
-
bit of wood widening at its foot and used for stirring porridge. [NOTES: corrected to ‘slis’.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
slògag
-
[sɫɔ:ɡɑɡ] Notes: “slates” made up of small sheaves of corn. The seed was removed and the sheaf tied at the top of the stalks. The bottom part was then spread out like a fan. This was done in autumn. They were then laid in “bundles” of a dozen over the winter. By spring they were placed flat. Put on roof like slates.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
smellig
-
Quotation: Cha do smellig e i [?]. Notes: of a good goal [?] at football.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
smiag (pronounced smeeag)
-
a piece of wood with three holes, one at each end and one in the middle. The rope forming the lamb’s collar went through the two outer holes and were fixed by means of a knot. The tether went through the centre hole and [was] kept from running through by a knot on the end.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
smàglach
-
an amount of seaweed which you can lift on a graip (gràpa). Could also mean an amount of hay lifted on a pitch fork used at harvest time – “Cuir smàglach neo dhà eile air a’ chairt.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
smàl
-
Quotation: a’ smàladh an teine. Notes: bank up the fire at night. Barvas: “a’ tasgadh an teine” or “a’ cuir tasgadh dhan an teine”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
smèileabanachd
-
[smɛ̃:ləbɑnɑxk] Quot.: “Tha iad a’ smèileabanachd air a chèile.” Note: interfering with each other, at cross purposes.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
smìgleadh
-
reference to cattle nibbling at their fodder. “Dh’ith i smìgleadh dheth.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
smùid
-
at an extra working pace as: Smùid aige le sùist air an arbhar.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
smùr
-
fragments of peat at the bottom of creel.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
sneic
-
[sṉɛ̃c] Note: for opening a door by pressing a lever down with the thumb outside making a length of flat iron, hinged at the inner end, to lift from a slot on the doorpost.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
snigean
-
… snigean air. A person used to pat someone on the shoulder and interj. or it was perhaps? and he would say ‘snigean air’? It’s obsolete, the word. I have not the meaning at the moment. You may have it?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
snighe-dubh
-
Notes: water coming in at the chimney.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
snàthad
-
Quot.: snàthad a’ bhiùirne. Note: axle through pirn with hole at the end. (spinning wheel)
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
snòthdachadh
-
sniffing at something with your nose touching the commodity, e.g. a cow sniffing at water.
Origin: Glasgow/South Uist? or South Uist, Kildonan or South Uist, Garrynamonie or South Uist or Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sobhrach
-
Primrose. Disease: infested heel wound (at a bhuinn duibh). Part used: the leaves
only. How prepared: the leaves placed on the wound with poultice of oatmeal, placed as hot
as the patient could accept. Sources of information: my mother doing it.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
-
sogh
-
air sogh – for joy; fa shogh – at ease, in comfort.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
soirbhean
-
[sɔɾɑṉ] Notes: a small door at the back of a barn used for creating a draught for winnowing.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
solus-slàn
-
reference to the full moon. [See solus-làn.] The term, I am afraid, is hardly used, if at all, now, if I may say, anywhere?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sonc
-
direct. Chaidh e sios sonc. – when anything falls into the sea, the remark is made, in other words without a ‘slither’. Pronounced like the word ‘song’ in English but for the ‘c’ at the end which gives a ‘hard’ sound. It’s not obsolete – still in current use.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sooan
-
sowans: made from the sids after corn was at the mill.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
-
sop-suiridhe
-
Quot.: “Ach, ’s ann a bha e sadail sop-suiridhe ort!” Note: said by my grandfather to my mother when she’d come home from home [sic] complaining that a boy had been throwing clods of earth at her.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sorachan
-
a pile of peats on which the people sat at any interval.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
sorrag
-
the grain was placed in this channel which stemmed from the centre of the ‘sorn’ [q.v.]. The fire was at one end of the ‘sorrag’. However there was a sufficient gap between the fire and the grain to ensure it did not burn.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sothadh
-
having a good go at something, belly full.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spainneadh
-
Quotation: Thug i spainneadh orm. Notes: She snapped at me (verbally).
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spar-deiridh
-
Notes: cross-piece at rear end of cart.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spar-feannaig
-
wooden spar at each end with the ropes going round it.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
spar-gaoitheadh
-
Notes: the “ceangal” at the end of a black-house which protruded.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spar-toisich
-
Notes: cross-piece at front of cart.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sparchas
-
(also) feet spars, wooden support to the feet in rowing a boat. The wooden 2x2 or 3x3… was crosswise putting your feet against it while pulling at the oars.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spealadairean
-
wee boats in the 20 feet keel sizes, were termed as ‘spealadairean’ when engaged in the herring fishing at Scalpay, in Harris.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
speil
-
taking a turn at anything.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
speileabhais (?)
-
[speləvɑʃ] Quotation: “Dé a’ [speləvɑʃ] a th’ort?” “Na bith [speləvɑʃ] ris.” Nach ann annad a tha a’ [speləvɑʃ]. Notes: said to a person picking at his food, having very little appetite.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
speilean
-
[spelɑ̃ṉ] Quot.: “a’ cluich speilean”. Note: A game somewhat akin to rounders. A small hollow was made in the ground and a line drawn about 15 yards from it. The apparatus consisted of a ball or cork float (usually the latter), a stick about 9" long (speilean) and a bat like a putter bat (caman) – a flat board about 1 ft long and about 5" wide with a handle attached. Two opposing teams were chosen by two captains. The first side to “bat” was chosen by drawing lots (a’ cur crann). The other team was spread out behind the line, as “fielders”. The “speilean” was put into the hollow at an angle with one end sticking up and the cork float lying on the end in the hollow. The first to bat would shout “Ready?” The other team would say “Tha” and the batter would strike down the protruding end of the “speilean”, causing the cork to be ejected into the air. The batter would then hit it as far as he could. If the cork was caught by a member of the opposing team before it hit the ground, he was out and the next member of the team batted until all were out. If it is not caught the first fielder to reach it gives the batter a “fair” [fɛ:əɾ], throwing it to him so that he can strike it again. If it is caught, he is out. If not, the first fielder to get it rolls it from that spot trying to get it into the hole or as near as possible. This is called “a’ spìocadh” [spi:kəɣ]. If it is holed or comes to rest within a bat’s length of the hole, the batter is out. If it is outside this range, the distance from the hole is measured in bat lengths, the number of lengths being the number of points scored by that player. He carries on until he’s out, then the rest of the team bat in turn until all are out. The other team then bat and all the points totted up, the winner being the side with the highest points.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spiorachcadh
-
swearing at.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spliachd
-
a big spread, e.g. a large spread of food at a wedding or other social function. Also used for extensive news coverage of an incident.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spliachdadh
-
to stare or gaze at something or other. “Bha e a’ spliachdadh ùine mhór ’san uinneag.”
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
splòic
-
mumps. Traditional word instead of ‘at busach’.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spuadag
-
[shinty] A hit at the ball. It also meant a blow given to a person. “Thug mi spuadag air.” – ‘I gave him a blow.’
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
-
spuir-eòin
-
I am not sure of this as being a birthmark at the moment. I think you could be quite safe in noting likewise, that is if you haven’t any other definition.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
-
spàigean
-
applied to a baby whose early attempts at walking. [sic] [Cf. spàgach.]
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spèic
-
spoke; spoke in a wheel, as an old salt used to put it: Bu mhath a nis a bhi air spèic bhuidhe – it would now be good to be at a yellow spoke, literally, etc. meaning in other words, or wishing being at sea steering a vessel.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
spèicean
-
[spɛ:çcəṉ] Notes: device for securing cattle inside the byre. Two upright posts, one fixed, the other hinged at the base to allow the head and horns to pass through. It was then put upright and fixed so as to lock the head in.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sreannachan
-
propeller, disc revolving at a fast rate.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sron-chòra
-
[sic] [sɾɔ̃:ṉxɔ:ɾə] Notes: waterspout caused by a whirlwind at sea. (sròn-chobhaire?)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stang
-
a narrow, shallow ditch opened at the end of a field to drain of [sic] excess water.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
staull
-
in a house with animals at one end this refers to the threshold between the two ends of the house. [NOTES: corrected to ‘stall’.]
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
steonc
-
good. Tha e steonc. – it is good. This is an unfamiliar word in vocabulary list or lists, or if at all listed or noted. It’s a modern word (Harris). It may be an invented word.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
step
-
[?] bit where mast is fixed at bottom.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
-
stialladh
-
repeatedly hammering at something.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stilcher
-
[?] bit where mast is fixed at bottom for bigger boats
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
-
stiuir a’ choilich
-
the large feather at a cockerel’s rear.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stob
-
Quotation: “Bha am buntàta air an stobadh le cas-chaibe.” Notes: holes were made at regular intervals and the potatoes dropped in.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stol-phòsda
-
marriage stool, at the altar.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stol-smùraidh
-
stool on which a person engaged at smearing sheep sat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
strannachan
-
[st̪ɾɑ̃n̪ɑxɑṉ] Note: circular piece of leather 2"-3" diam. Two holes, with string through each hole and then knotted. String cork-screwed and then pulled at each end. Disc revolves backwards and forwards as the two ends are pulled and then slackened.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stràic
-
One of the cane or strap at school.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stròinean
-
Note: piece of rope over the bridge of a cow’s nose, passing under the ears and attached to the rope round its neck. When the cow strained at the tethering pin, this tightened and hurt the cow, making it slacken the rope.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stròm(e)
-
(noun) enclosure where the sea enters at a narrow inlet, the entrance ebbing at low spring tides. [Cf. stròmach.]
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
strùlachan
-
[st̪ɾu̜:ɫɑxɑṉ] Note: the thread attached to the “osanan” [q.v.] at the front and round the toes to keep the “osanan” in position. Down between big toe and first smaller toe and between the smallest toe and the next one.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
strùpag
-
tea drank at tea-break. [NOTES: I could not find the slip. There is one dated 1976 with definition ‘balgam’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stàrn
-
Notes: A kind of reed growing in soft places. About the height of corn. Has some leaves at the top.
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stàrr
-
Notes: rough grass found growing on the moor, usually at the edge of a river or loch.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stòl-smiùraidh
-
Note: a bench on which sheep were put for smearing. Some had wooden slats so that the sheep’s legs could be lowered through them, thus rendering it powerless to struggle. The sides were wider apart at one end, rather like the shape of a wheel-barrow.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
stòrag
-
[st̪ɔ:ɾɑɡ] Notes: small stack of peats built at first lifting. Also ath-stòrag.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
suathalas
-
[su̜ɤhɑɫəs] Quot.: “Thug mi suathalas thuige ceart gu leòir.” Note: I made some attempt at identifying him (e.g. if you [sic] [met? saw?] someone and he either looked like somebody you knew or you had seen him before at some time although you didn’t quite remember who he was).
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sugan
-
jug; was also used as an interj. in calling a milking cow for to arouse the cow’s interest for to give her milk at milking time, perhaps.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
suidheachan
-
applied to four or six shocks of corn stood together. This word is more prevalent in North Uist whereas the word ‘adag (-an)’ is used in South Uist. Similarly ‘sguabag’ can be heard more often in North Uist whereas ‘raoid’ is used for an individual shock of corn in South Uist. Therefore the above words cannot be confined to an individual island due to a certain degree of overlapping most noted at northern end of South Uist.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
suil a’ leis
-
socket joint at hip.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
-
sunnag
-
(in living room) A chair made from a barrel. On one side the staves were sawn off to the middle of barrel, with two arm rests (one on each side) left at the proper height. The back side of barrel was left intact to support back of sitter. The lid of barrel served as seat, nailed down of course. On top of seat a cushion was placed.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
sàbh beairte
-
a square wooden case with a blade in the middle. Handle at the top of the saw. Pulled by two people.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sàbh mór
-
used for larger bits of wood, e.g. beams. Wider blade as opposed to above [i.e. sàbh beairte (q.v.)]. Handgrip at top and one added below for second person.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
séis
-
(in living room) A long, plain, wooden bench with high back and an arm at each end. It was placed alongside the wall and could hold from four to six people. There were in addition one or more ordinary chairs (without arms) in the living room.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
-
sìth
-
Quotation: Bha siubhal sìth aice. Notes: some were supposed to have this power. If one glanced away for a very short time from looking at such a person and then looked again, they seemed to have covered an incredible distance for such a short time.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sòla toisich, deiridh
-
small platform at stem or stern.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sòrn
-
raised platform at a kiln.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sòrnach
-
Notes: open (outdoor) fire built round with stones. Dwelly has sòrnach ‘great heap of boulders at the foot of a precipice’; and sòrnag ‘a little kiln’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sòrnach coire cailleach co lìn
-
located in the neighbouring hill at Milton and elsewhere. This was a circular stone wall which had rich, fertile soil inside. Women used to look after sheep in this ring.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sùgan
-
Quotation: sugan [sic] àrd. Notes: high horse collar. Built up high at the top and dressed.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sùgan òrdaig
-
making a rope from a rick which you have just constructed. Starting at the side of a rick until you reach the required length. Then tied round the rick to secure it.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sùil na h-atha
-
the hole at the top of a kiln.
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sùlairean
-
boats built at the time of the Zulu War. Characterised by having an obtusely angled rear stem.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
sùsagh (a phùil)
-
marking out, with a spade, on the turf the area of peat to be cut. [NOTES: two second hands at work. In black ink: the grave accent in ‘sùsagh’ circled and ‘susadh’ added underneath; in red: ‘phuill’ written above ‘phùil’.]
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
-
súil
-
Quotation: Cha do leag mi mo shúil air idir. Notes: I didn’t see it at all.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
taigh bainne
-
pantry at the kitchen end of a house where pails of milk were stored. Usually the coolest room in the house.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tairgeadaireachd
-
[t̪ɑɾɑɡʹəd̪əðɑk] Note: passing remarks designed to incite the person at whom they are aimed.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
talamh trom
-
Land on which there are cattle but which can be cultivated at any time.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
-
tamar (m)
-
Notes: a strong blow or kick (at a football). (hammer?)
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
taomadh
-
Notes: (Murdo Murray, Back) in sense of shovelling the earth at the sides of the feannagan and in the claisean, on top of the feannagan. Murdo Murray recalls an old woman telling him how she got 1/-6d a day for peat-cutting, but only 1/- a day for taomadh. Dwelly has this sense, without as much detail as above.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tarraing
-
Quotation: Tha tarraing a tighinn a stigh as a chuan. Notes: ground swell at sea. A ground swell coming in indicated a change of weather.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tasgadh-oidhche
-
a night banking of the fire. In the old black-house the peat fire was banked before retiring at night.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tearbadh
-
separating the lambs at the end of August. Lambs would be placed in the fold (cotan [q.v.]).
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
teine-sionnachain
-
Notes: phosphorescence at sea.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
teine-sionnachain
-
Note: phosphorescence at sea.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
teiris
-
[tʹeɾiʃ] Quotation: Teiris a nis! or Teiris a mireag! Notes: said to a cow to soothe her at milking time.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
thar a cheile
-
At variance. Confused.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
theagamh
-
[heɡu̟] Notes: “Right enough, …” Used at the beginning of statements.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tighinn-fodha
-
[tʹĩṉfoə] Notes: water seeping in at floor level.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tighinn-fodha
-
[tʹĩṉˈfɔə] Note: water seeping into a house at floor level.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tinneas-air-ais
-
Quot.: “an tinneas-air-ais”. Note: epilepsy. Cure: a black cock with no white feathers was killed and buried at the spot where the fits had first taken place. The patient then had to sleep there for one night.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tioma-taisein
-
I am not sure of the meaning of this word at the moment (I am sure you have the word already).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tionachdnadh
-
perhaps it means, perhaps salvation, as I am not quite certain at the moment… or testament… Perhaps you have the meaning yourselves. If not, I do not think the tiomnadh access to it is inappropriate. [SLIP: ‘Salvation’ or ‘testament’ – informant uncertain.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tiùrr
-
Notes: deposit of seaweed etc. left at high tide.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tobhta-bhràghad
-
the penultimate seat at the back of a boat.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
toirbheart
-
Quotation: “Tha mi air mo thoirbheart.” (e.g. said by a person exhausted working at peats). Notes: (father and mother) oi as in soirbh. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
toiteal
-
smoke rising from a vessel at sea, or from a house. Tha e air toiteal a chuir an àird.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
toll-dilidh
-
[t̪oɫdʹili] Note: opening at the end of the byre to allow water from the drain under the floor to pass out.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
toll-each
-
[t̪oˈɫɛx] Note: the opening at the end of a byre to allow a horse and cart to back in for manure.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
toll-gilidh
-
[t̪ɤu̜ɫɡʹili] Note: pronounced with a [ɡʹ] instead of [dʹ]. Opening at end of byre to let the water out.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
toll-lodain
-
[t̪oɫɔd̪ɑ̃nʹ] Note: the outlet in the wall at the end of the byre from the “dileadh” [q.v.], the drain down through the house.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Lemreway
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
toll-lodain
-
[t̪oɫˈɔd̪ɑ̃nʹ] Note: exit at “màs an tighe” to allow passage of cattle urine and any other seepage.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tomhadh
-
Quotation: Airson rud a thomhadh dhut; na bi tomhadh do chorraig ris (pointing your finger at him). Notes: a’ tomhadh rud air duine – pressing something on someone.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tonnag
-
[t̪on̪ɑɡ] Quot.: tonnag langainn. Note: small fish found inshore – probably the young ling. Got under stones at very low tide.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
torcadh
-
chipping at rocks with pickaxes.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
torr dubh
-
seaweed gathered at end of year and stacked on machair land left to rot and used as fertiliser for potatoes in spring.
Location: North Uist, Knockintorran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
treoth
-
[t̪ɾɔ] Quotation: Chan fhaca mi dha’n treoth ud idir e. Notes: I didn’t see him that time at all, e.g. talking about somebody home on holiday.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
treun
-
Quotation: Nuair a bha e ’na threun. Notes: When he was in his prime, at his peak physically.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
triallabhaid
-
[t̪ɾıɤɫəvɑdʹ] Quot.: “Tha i ’na triallabhaid aig a h-uile rud a th’ann.” Note: could be said of a housewife with a hundred-and-one household chores to attend to at the one time. “In a ‘trachle’.”
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
truinnse
-
[t̪ɾĩ:ʃə] Notes: lock put on the mill canal to stop the water when the mill was at a standstill.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tràbach
-
soaking (as of a day – used at Melness).
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tràth
-
advb ‘at one time’ : ìnnsidh mi rud eile a bhithinn a’ faicinn ~
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
-
trògh
-
a home-made rope, made from sea bent. Used for securing hay and corn stacks. Also used when thatching. Prior to thatching this rope would be tied across the rafters from one end to the other so that the thatch would not simply fall through the rafters. Have to remember wood was not so plentiful at that time.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tuagal
-
goal. Subsequently called “hail” when shinty was played to modern shinty rules. (Stoer, Assynt) Shinty was always played on New Year’s Day, “Latha na Callain”. Two townships would compete, and after the match was finished the visiting team would try and dribble the “creg” out of the township. I saw old boddich of 70 running out with walking sticks to prevent the “creg” being taken out of the township, which was considered a great disgrace! So long as the numbers were equal there appeared to be no limit to the number on each side for the actual match. I played for Caberfeidh Shinty Team, but it was child’s play in comparison to those New Year’s Games! At half time – the match was usually two hours – whisky was distributed – not lemons! Incidentally, if a visiting township managed to get the creg away, they had the privilege of having the match in their township next New Year.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
-
tuairmeas
-
(at) random.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tuim ghrod
-
this noxious excess water was sometimes stored if there were sharks in the area. The substance was thrown at them which supposedly kept them at bay.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tutanadh
-
ill at ease, moved irregularly. [SLIP: Irregular movement of one ill-at-ease.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
-
tàl
-
a carpenter’s tool for cutting away surface wood. Like an axe with an arched blade at right angles to the handle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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tìdeil
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Notes: (used of a lamb) born at the right time, i.e. that had gone its full time. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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tìr bhuana
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celebration feast at the end of harvesting.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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tòthadh
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[t̪o:əɣ] Quot.: “Na bi a tòthadh sin riumsa idir!” Note: pointing something at a person, e.g. a stick. (Also: “a’ tomhadh [ˈt̪õəɣ] dhòrn” in Barvas – putting up one’s fists.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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tòthan
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we have also: air mullaich an tòthain. Likely, it’s the same word [as tothan q.v.], but at one instance it’s spoken unaccented.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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ubh
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Quot.: ubh-mille-fithich. Note: very small egg a hen might lay at the end of the laying season or if it had been injured in some way.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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ubhalabhiocuis
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Quotation: Ciod e an ubhalabhiocuis a tha’gad anns a phrais? Notes: used only in reference to food. Some mysterious mixture! No idea at all what the origin of the word is. It was widely used all the same.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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ugan
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throats. “Bha iad an ugain a chéile.” – they were at each other’s throats.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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uinneag nan cearc
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A square open hole at top of the gable wall of a byre, convenient to ‘faradh [q.v.] nan cearc’ on the inside. The hens’ roost is pronounced ‘fairidh’ in Skye.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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uisge-beatha
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whisky. Was used also for toothache – leaving some whisky in the mouth for a while. Whisky and oatmeal was considered as tonic, as was rum and eggs mixed. Whisky was recommended for faints, weaknesses. Whisky and hot water being retiring [sic] at night was a stimulating [sic], recommended stimulant for colds, that is for counteracting colds. Whisky and hot water, so hot as the patient could accept: it was known as ‘totaidh’.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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uisgeachan an fhoghair
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autumn rains which can greatly vary within a small area, e.g. in a village – could be raining at one end and [be] dry, sunny at the other end.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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urdean
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wine token at birth.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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ursainn chatha
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someone who is a source of comfort and strength at times of distress.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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uthagraich
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Notes: ‘hooching’ at a dance.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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àite suidhe
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seat at the back of a boat. Elsewhere called ‘sileadh’.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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àmhailte
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[ɑ̃:ılʹtʹə] Quot.: “Cuir thuige àmhailte dha!” Note: a peat, half of it burning, used as a torch, e.g. when going home at night from a céilidh.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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àth
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Quotation: iochdar na h-àthadh. Notes: the end of the kiln at which the corn was put in.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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ìm an iuchair
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butter that would be available at the end of July. Generally held to be the best. The cream would be saved from April.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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ìoc
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[i:k] Notes: a triangular piece of clothing inserted at the sides of garments to make them wider at the bottom.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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òpair
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[ɔ:pəɾ] Notes: a small bowl-like structure fixed at the mouth of the plunger-hole to catch the milk coming out when the plunger was drawn up.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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ùrtan/òrtan/nòrtan
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Quotation: Ma fhuair thu nòrtan man càch / Chan fhaca ban-nabaidh càil: / Carson nach tug thu gloine làn / Ga b’ann dh’an an fhaoileig. Notes: At this ‘ceremony’, after the birth of a child, it was customary to offer whisky and e.g. biscuits and cheese. Dw. has urstan ‘feast when a child is born – Lewis.’
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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ùs
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[ũ̟:s] Note: applied to the covering on a lamb’s fleece at birth.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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‘Stigh e’
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‘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
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‘fàile an t-saibh’
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the smell of the sea, quite distinct on a calm day, at low ebb-tide.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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“Cha tainig a leithid seo a shìde bho’n a thilg an tràigh na lugachan.”
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associated with extreme weather conditions when the shore was churned up and all its contents piled up at the high water mark.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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“keppar”
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a “piece” to a boy or girl. (Stoer, Assynt) The “keppar” always consisted of a scone (flour) for preference or an oatcake with fresh butter and at least an inch of crowdie. “Hor ‘keppar’ dhan a bhallach!” – usually if the housewife was baking.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
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“laigadal”
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the red tangle with long red fronds only obtained at spring tides – ( traigh “laingadal” [sic]). Generally used for turnip manure.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture