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: note added on the first page – last 3 words on list by T. MacRae, North Lochs.]
sùil na trìbhilichnot sure of English equivalent but this plant was boiled and taken for stomach complaints.
eisireachorphan.
cothlaimto socialise, mix among other people.
co thràthlate evening, just before it darkens.
fàthachdhospitality, especially hospitality given to travellers delayed by bad weather conditions.
smoidssaid 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.”
scumalaiga useless tonic. “Chan eil fhios agam dè an scumalaig gun fheum a bh’ann.”
ainbhlaistasteless.
sidhga large hole in the strand filled with salt water.
an trochansin cahoots, e.g. “Bha iad ann an trochans ri chèile.”
cleathada blow.
fàilidhquietly, stealthily, e.g. “Chaidh mi sios dh’an rùm gu fàilidh.”
tàradhto creep up unexpectedly behind something and catch it unawares. This is used especially of catching a sheep but could also be applied to humans.
bringlaida foolish error or mistake. “Nach mise rinn a bhringlaid.”
claighda tall thin person.
sgaida good catch. “Nach tu a rinn a sgaid a raoir aig an iasgach.”
foradha surprise find. “Nach tu a fhuair a foradh air a’ chladach an dè.”
mearralwhere fresh water and salt water meet.
soica small, chubby person.
mualainteapplied to a harum-scarum young child.
faolagachsame as above [i.e. mualainte (q.v.)]. Have also heard this word used in the context of a flighty woman.
lus chrùna wreath.
dròsfine ashes obtained from coal burning fire; finer than peat ashes.
lìthseagblack stripes appearing in cattle’s excrement. Taken as a sign of impending poor health and especially as a sign of constipation.
sùileanwhen animals were afflicted by ‘galair an domalais’ this was the term given to the bubble-like feature in their excrement.
dèirceinnblister or lump between the fingers.
imideala lazy fellow.
barrachbirch wood.
baile geamhraidhrefers to the practice of milkmaids bringing milk daily from the shielings to the village below them.
eanghlasa drink consisting of milk and water.
sgathachfresh milk drunk from the pail.
ceapairea large portion of scone given with butter and crowdie.
mun aisidhto 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.’]
eideispointless. Would be said of pointless work. “’Se eideis obrach a bh’ann.” [NOTES: ‘supplied by Torcuil MacRae, North Lochs, Lewis.’]
càbaraidgroup 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.

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