sùil na trìbhilich | not sure of English equivalent but this plant was boiled and taken for stomach complaints. |
eisireach | orphan. |
cothlaim | to socialise, mix among other people. |
co thràth | late evening, just before it darkens. |
fàthachd | hospitality, especially hospitality given to travellers delayed by bad weather conditions. |
smoids | said when one had consumed a fair amount of strong drink. “Nach tu a ghabh a smoids deoch a raoir.” |
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.” |
scumalaig | a useless tonic. “Chan eil fhios agam dè an scumalaig gun fheum a bh’ann.” |
ainbhlais | tasteless. |
sidhg | a large hole in the strand filled with salt water. |
an trochans | in cahoots, e.g. “Bha iad ann an trochans ri chèile.” |
cleathad | a blow. |
fàilidh | quietly, stealthily, e.g. “Chaidh mi sios dh’an rùm gu fàilidh.” |
tàradh | to creep up unexpectedly behind something and catch it unawares. This is used especially of catching a sheep but could also be applied to humans. |
bringlaid | a foolish error or mistake. “Nach mise rinn a bhringlaid.” |
claighd | a tall thin person. |
sgaid | a good catch. “Nach tu a rinn a sgaid a raoir aig an iasgach.” |
foradh | a surprise find. “Nach tu a fhuair a foradh air a’ chladach an dè.” |
mearral | where fresh water and salt water meet. |
soic | a small, chubby person. |
mualainte | applied to a harum-scarum young child. |
faolagach | same as above [i.e. mualainte (q.v.)]. Have also heard this word used in the context of a flighty woman. |
lus chrùn | a wreath. |
dròs | fine ashes obtained from coal burning fire; finer than peat ashes. |
lìthseag | black stripes appearing in cattle’s excrement. Taken as a sign of impending poor health and especially as a sign of constipation. |
sùilean | when animals were afflicted by ‘galair an domalais’ this was the term given to the bubble-like feature in their excrement. |
dèirceinn | blister or lump between the fingers. |
imideal | a lazy fellow. |
barrach | birch wood. |
baile geamhraidh | refers to the practice of milkmaids bringing milk daily from the shielings to the village below them. |
eanghlas | a drink consisting of milk and water. |
sgathach | fresh milk drunk from the pail. |
ceapaire | a large portion of scone given with butter and crowdie. |
mun aisidh | to decide, e.g. “Thug sinn mun aisidh an seòl a chuir rithe.” “Thug mi mun aisidh ceist neo dhà a chur air na fir.” “Thug e mun aisidh fear lagh fhaicinn.” [NOTES: ‘supplied by Torcuil MacRae, North Lochs, Lewis.’] |
eideis | pointless. Would be said of pointless work. “’Se eideis obrach a bh’ann.” [NOTES: ‘supplied by Torcuil MacRae, North Lochs, Lewis.’] |
càbaraid | group of men gathered together making a lot of noise. [NOTES: ‘supplied by Torcuil MacRae, North Lochs, Lewis.’] |
[note] | The above three words were supplied by Torcuil MacRae, North Lochs, Lewis. |