Measgaichte / Miscellaneous

Informant(s)
Name
D. J. MacVicar
Origin
[Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Location
Glasgow
Date
[1987-88]
Fieldworker
A. O’Henley
Notes
  • [NOTES: some notes added (most probably by K. D. MacDonald?). See below for details.]
spruillsurly expression. “Bha spruill air.”
torghan (-aich)moaning.
goladthe mossy texture on the outside of a peat bog.
foraghaisa subtle enquiry, not a direct question.
forfhais[See foraghais.]
magaranon all fours. [NOTES: corrected to ‘màgaran’.]
caiteaga morsel.
spigealana grain. “Cha robh spigealan siùcair a staigh.”
saorsnailrelaxed.
bigearachdteasing.
cliostaran enema. An injection of fluid into the intestines.
pìob chliastarthe tube used for this operation [i.e. cliostair ‘enema’].
stailbandage.
duillainan alternative to the ‘bangaid’ to celebrate the birth of a child. [NOTES: note added above ‘duillain’ – duillean.]
duillecondom.
trusaitaicha field which has been ploughed three times. Could it also mean the field on which you have your third crop.
cobhlach?a field which has been ploughed twice.
talamh-tollland full of holes.
talamh-glasland which has not been ploughed for some years.
seisga cow that is not in calf. Can also be applied to sheep. [NOTES: corrected to ‘seasg’.]
seisgaicha flock of the above [i.e. seisg/seasg] usually sold. [NOTES: corrected to ‘seasgaich’.]
dornallacha two year old beast/sheep. [NOTES: corrected to ‘dòrnallach’.]
còig reach?a beast that is five seasons old. Pronounced without long à in S. Uist. [NOTES: note added above ‘reach’ – ‘ràitheach’. Mr O’Henley’s note about the pronunciation seems to be a later addition, possibly in response to the suggested spelling of ‘ràitheach’.]
sgeilaida small pan.
cuaranfinger bandage. Could also be applied as the term for a small slipper or light shoe.
mogaiseanmoccasins.
cuinnseachanantics. “Dè na cuinnseachan a tha air an duine sin.” [NOTE: corrected to ‘cuinseachan’.]
ag uireadhlaying down topsoil. [NOTES: corrected to ‘ag ùireadh’.]
sussadhbreaking turf with a spade. Used in peat cutting and in making lazy beds. Means the breaking of the soil in a straight line in preparation for turfing.
trinnsigeadhdigging trenches. Turning soil with a spade.
ceannachadhploughing the ends of a field.
mastaigan objectionable woman.
odhragthe young of a cormorant.
cannaa young whale. [NOTES: corrected to ‘cana’ and a note added – also means ‘porpoise’ in places.]
pèileagporpoise.
duine raibhearteacha placid man.
duine socharachgentle, easy going.
duine stuamatemperate steady.
duine stòlda/stòltasteady, composed.
duine carantacharitable.
duine aoigheilcheerful.
duine ciatachbecoming.
duine socanachbubbly personality. [NOTES: corrected to ‘soganach’.]
duine fialaidhgenerous.
duine foghainneachcan also mean crafty as well as strong.
duine eudmhorjealous.
duine casabrupt.
duine geurincisive.
duine tomatachbenevolent.
duine somaltaequible [sic] [equitable?].
diunlaochstalwart.
sgeigairemocker, scorner.
caoiltelanky fellow.
briumalclumsy.
càraida couple.
buamastairbully.
cladhaireuncoordinated.
burraidhbully.
eimilisgharum scarum.
eubhaiseachlarge, untidy.
drabhasdirty fellow.
crabhalachbony, emaciated fellow. [NOTES: note added above ‘crabhalach’ – cnàmhalach.]
slaodanachsluggish.
sìlaichethin, puny person.
bleidairebeggar. [NOTES: corrected to ‘bleidire’.]
pealastairragged youth.
robairneachunkempt.
iadach? / eudachjealousy.
sliogsneak, sly person. [NOTES: corrected to ‘slìg’.]
giobairneachragged person.
sglobairea person who is always foaming at the mouth.
drunngaira drunk. [NOTES: corrected to ‘drungair’.]
ronngadairtardy, slow person. [NOTES: corrected to ‘rongadair’.]
slaoidairecrook.
ceacharana venomous person.
ròlaisteachspinner of yarns, tall tales etc.
truthairean obscene, immoral person.
pumalaira fat, rambling kind of person.
miotalacha flatterer.
sotalach?a gossipy person.
fodhala gossip.
fodhalaga gossipy woman.
sgleogfeckless character.
beannagheadsquare.
goralaisinane, silly conversation.
otraga short, dumpy woman.
loireaguntidy woman.
gobagnippy person.
brannaga fat woman.
sgliatcolourless, feckless character.
duine gun bhiuca person who cannot sing, without a note. [NOTES: ‘bhiuc’ corrected to ‘bhiùg’.]
gibeaga ragged woman.
neafagvenomous person.
speireaga lively woman, girl.
gobhaluisgeacha waddling, bandy legged woman.
prùisgaillgiggling. [NOTES: corrected to ‘prùisgil’.]

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