Measgaichte / Miscellaneous

Informant Name
R[oderick] O’Henley
Informant(s)
Name
R[oderick] O’Henley
Location
South Uist, Garrynamonie
Date
[1987-88]
Fieldworker
A. O’Henley
Notes
  • [NOTES: some notes in pencil most probably added by K. D. MacDonald. See below for details.]
an ion ’s a bhithon the point of.
cò is fhearr sealbh airwho is going to be the lucky recipient.
ionga na h-oirlichsmallest possible space.
bàta iollaa small boat for fishing the banks or fishing grounds close to the shore.
gulm, ancataract on eye. Also in sense of a dark spot in corn ears.
glais-ceapbits of turf placed on the top of house wall on a thatched house. Prevented drip from thatch entering through the wall. Through time grass would grow through the turf which would be eaten by sheep and cattle if they could reach.
Là a’ Bhrochain MhóirMaundy Friday when according to informant porridge was poured into the sea to ensure adequate supply of seaweed.
làdhadhrutting in cats.
deiseaga sheep on its backside.
geilleartbarking.
lòbana sledge with wickerwork sides to drag peats, dung, etc.
dàidseacha heavy blow.
gathan gainnisgdried sedge which was used as a lighted torch which was carried at Halloween.
fuaireadhcoldness.
fuaireasirritability and stampeding of cattle due to cold weather.
curadana hermit.
maidneagmorning star.
mairsteannachused to mean strong, sturdy, especially when talking about children.
foirfeideacha kind of special constable in village who sorted out land disputes and assessed damages.
marbhanachwool that is taken of a dead sheep.
fighe cas feannaigeherring bone stitching.
cuachroll of rope, wire, etc.
critheamh gorman illness affecting cattle, especially heifers.
fàineadhto bend or incline, e.g. “Cuir fàineadh beag eile ann.”
creagachfishing from a rock or climbing rocks to see or plunder birds’ nests.
faochagarea in forehead of cattle where they can be killed by a blow.
meangbhlàthlukewarm.
naimhreachbrave (North Uist).
òsganapplied to a yearling sheep which has not developed as well as it should have. Also applied to humans.
othannachused of cattle who lose their appetite.
crògadhhandling the sheep for those that are shearing them.
dubhachparticular type of peat which is found about a foot from the surface of peat bank and which was used for dyeing.
còsnest of a hen found outside the henhouse.
piacana person who has a weakness in his chest, or having chest tones.
coilleaga hillock or hummock.
am ploca disease in cattle, noticeable by a lump on the throat.
pocan-òrdaiga conical shaped paper bag used for sweets, broken biscuits and the like.
cnaimh pòsaidh, pòsdawishbone.
priobaireanblinders for a horse.
claoba big ungainly woman, characterised by a big open mouth.
do-fheara rascal.
doighneachugly.
soighneachugly.
ciortalaichto move yourself about till you are comfortable. “Ciortalaich thu fhein an sin ’s toisichidh sinn.”
rasparsboisterous behaviour.
rongasstem of laminaria.
cas bheagwhen drying peats one peat is placed horizontally on its edge whilst two other peats rest on it.
sgata portion of machair land.
càinealachadh an lathadaybreak.
sgian achlaisa knife carried in your sleeve, near the armpit.
sgluidseacha large button used in oilskins and overcoats.
sgloidseach[See sgluidseach.]
cadalan tràghaa starfish.
sguairnean objectionable, large woman. Also in sense of anything large and objectionable.
cailleacha partly rotten potato when planted still adhering to the shaw when new potatoes are lifted.
Sheas e suas orma Uist expression meaning that ‘I was surprised’.
buileach bonn siarwholly. [NOTES: note added in pencil: Cha robh e [buileach bonn siar] – not the full shilling (mentally).]
siocanaichto milk to the very last drop.
siopanaichto milk to the very last drop.
bùirseachan advanced stage in drunkenness.
sìolachdrutting in mares.
caora bhrògacha blackfaced sheep.
smeachanalso in sense of foot pin in cas chrom.
siubhal sitheeffortless, quick movement.
buaile thodhaircattle kept here overnight to prevent them from straying into growing crops.
ceann snaoidh (th)leader especially of Christmas revellers.
O breallan orta mild rebuke.
solladha cutting or opening. Also in sense of shellfish used for bait.
solus biorachSt. Elmo’s Fire supposed to signify future tragedy.
a’ sorchairtenquiring.
bonnach luirga reward, a cake or some kind of food given to person who found or reported the sighting of a young animal such as a lamb or calf.
spannadha strong pull or wrench. “Bheir sinn dha aon spannadh eile.”
bodach baicthe first peat from the edge of the peat bank.
spìd“Dè spìd a tha ort?” – How are you?
blaigh riachdleaving something in a state of mess, disorder, e.g. “Dh’fhàg iad an talla na blaigh riachd as deidh an dannsa.” Also used to describe careless, scruffy appearance. [NOTES: corrected to ‘blaigh-riachd’.]
stabhcaireachdaimless movement to and fro.
bior-chul-chasa cross pin pushed through the hind legs, tendons of a flayed animal which was to be hung up to dry.
stealladhrutting in mares.
stiorlachthin liquid drink such as tea.
beò-chloimhnew wool growing under old fleece before the latter is cut.
surraga waterhole in which animals can become bogged.
taghaisteanspaces in creels by which they can be lifted.
boinne taigepitter patter, e.g. of drops of rain.
tàilleachan apprentice.
àt-reumswelling in the back of the throat.
teine adhairsparks which you see after receiving a blow on the head.
bachraincows dung used as fuel e.g. in Tiree. Is it from Scots word ‘bachram’?
tìr bhuanacelebration feast at the end of harvesting.
trao ghamhnacha cow without calf for two years.
aran cridhegingerbread.
ascallloss of cattle in the spring.
alltrabadha mischance.

© DASG
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