Measgaichte / Miscellaneous

Informant(s)
Name
Margaret MacEachan
Location
South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Date
[1987-88]
Fieldworker
A. O’Henley
Notes
  • [NOTES: some notes added (most probably by K. D. MacDonald?). See below for details.]
[each]“Ruigidh each mall muileann ach cha ruig each a bhristeas a chnàmhan sin.”
impire“’S easgaich gach droch impire an taigh duine eile.” Impire – used for a worker.
[moch-airidh]“Fear dha tig ainm na moch-airidh faodaidh e cadal gu feasgar.”
do leath thìgheachmeans your jaw. Would be used in fighting terminology. “Feuch nach brist mi do leath thìgheach.” [NOTES: corrected to ‘leath-thìgheach’.]
riasgland that was difficult to plough.
talamh seanland which had not been ploughed for a number of years.
buaillean enclosed area on croft land where cattle could be pastured. [NOTES: corrected to ‘buaile’.]
drùim ruadha ridge, slope with reddish soil. Trace of moraine, clay.
an creaganthis is the name applied to a particularly rocky part of a croft.
muthana plant found amidst iris. Characterised by having nine shoots (naoidh allt). The following verse was said in connection with this plant but not sure as to the exact circumstances. Must have been some kind of charm or plant of good fortune. Will check on this. “Buainidh mis muthan beag, lusan nan naoi allt; buainidh agus beannaichidh dh’am athair ’s dhan mhac; chan eil duin’ uasal neo iseal na sagart beag nan seachd gràdh nach leamsa bhuaidh agus a bheannachd ’s mo lùs bheag nam làimh.”
[di mairt]“Rud a ni thu di luain bidh e luath neo mall. Rud a ni thu di haoin’ bidh e faoin, fadalach. Rud a ni thu di mairt ’se as fhearr a th’ann.” “Di haoine gu fàs, dì [sic] mairt gu gearradh.”
ruaidhillness affecting the flow of milk in cattle. Cured by heating a pebble (mollag). Milk from the cow’s udder was splashed on to the stone. This was done accompanied by a prayer. Could only be done by a particular person. Also affected mares when they had given birth. Whisky was rubbed into the udder. Its heat relieved the blockage.
deoch dhubhfor seizure in animals. Not sure what it contained.
bradana hard lump on the front of a cow’s udder. Also under a cow’s chest.
sproganloose flesh between the two front legs of a cow extending down from its throat.
sniamhtwisting a cartilage of muscle. Insides of an eel put in a bandage to make a poultice. This cure applied to animals and humans.
droungairdrunkard.
liutachstammering, spluttering person who was difficult to understand.
na eolan dearginflammation of gums or the scalding effect of a burn. Refers to the reddening of the skin. [NOTES: ‘eolan’ corrected to ‘eòlan’.]
ceibaa useless old spade or scythe.
mart air t-easgacha cow who yields no milk.
gàmhnacha cow without calf.
rùlachrumbling, as in your stomach rumbling near lunchtime.
surcfragment, e.g. “Feuch gun ith thu a h-uile surc dhe.”
feairda dept. Feairdinn – debts. [NOTES: ‘feairdinn’ corrected to ‘feàirdean’.]

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