drabhag shiucair | treacle or syrup. |
slamman milis | jelly. |
slamman mheasan | jam. |
miliseag | sweetener. |
baobh shiubhlach | female gypsy. |
lurach | beauty. |
sean chrannaghal | of an old immobile woman. |
creilleach | same as above [i.e. sean chrannaghal]. “Chan eil innte ach creilleach.” |
seasgann | water sedge. Used for stuffing mattresses. |
droch thràigh | if the tide returns quickly this is taken as a sign of bad weather. |
frìth | horoscope. |
iothshlat | holly tree. |
colbh fhiodh | wooden panelling instead of plasterboard. |
slifag | a dibble as opposed to ‘pleadhag’ in South Uist. |
riochdachadh an tobair | at Easter different flowers placed round the well for the purpose of keeping evil spirits at bay. |
[Friday] | Tradition that was kept regarding Good Friday. Whether or not the potato crop had been planted before that day it was considered that at least two or three potatoes had to be planted on that day to ensure a good crop. Similarly peats were not cut on a Friday as it was thought this might bring death to the family concerned. |
smiarach | to feel your way around the house without the place being late [sic] [lit?]. Would also be said of a blind person. |
taigh cosnaidh | mansions and houses of well-to-do people on mainland where young island girls were employed. |
Seanfhacal |
[creag] | “’S olc an comharra air a’ chreag na h-eoin a bhi falbh aiste.” |
[ceilp] | “Cha dean sgleogaireachd ceilp ’s cha dean feadaireachd buan mhònadh.” |
na séistir | at their peak. Referring to the prosperity of the kelp industry. |
[steall] | Choinnich strùth ri steall. When a person met someone who was more than his match. |
feamainn chìrean | boiled and mixed with Indian meal. Given to cattle and horses to prevent illness and disease. |
lòinidh | refers to the healthy glow of an animal’s coat of hair. |
pliurais | pleurisy. |
an glùpad | fluke. |
galair na mòintich | used to mean the blinding which affected sheep. Thought that this was caused by spending too much time on wet, low level moorland. |
an tiatag | rheumatism. |
mórearran | common grazings. In South Uist the precision of the word is dropped – pronounced as ‘móraidhean’. |
[niosgaid] | “Ged a ligeadh a niosgaid tha a’ mhàthar ghur innte fhathast.” |
taisteal | meandering. “Tha an abhainn a’ struthadh taisteal.” |
caoraich Hiortach | St Kilda sheep. |
caoraich Sothaidh | Soay sheep. |
clamhan | a sickly person or animal. |
gaoid | weakness or failing in a person. |
taigh cathraiseach | refers to a house built on an exposed hill which in time of storms keeps the occupants on their toes. |
cnògain | large whelks. |
ulaidh | treasure. |
màil tosd | blackmail. |
air mo pheacnachadh | due to antagonism a normally placid person gets involved in a torrent of criticism directed at his opponent. Then says that person is the cause of his sinfulness. |
gu sgeith | fit to burst. |
cluichd dreasair | playing with old crockery to see who can best decorate the dresser. |
driongarsaich | pottering around. |
ciofarnadh | doing little odd jobs round the house. “Cha robh mi ach a’ ciofarnadh mun taigh.” |
ponaigeadh | dolling up. |
lithseag | a film of grease, fat, etc. |
streafann | similar to above [i.e. lithseag] although a light covering would be more accurate. “Streafann sneachda air an talamh.” |
ratan | in a tizzy. “Nach ann an a tha ratan.” Must be a French connection here. |
frù fra | when something is in disorder or is very untidy. |
breislich | in a fever. |
céigal | doing something half heartedly. |
bonnach luirg | expression which asks whether a cow has calved. “An robh bonnach luirg aice fhathast.” |
bodhar | elephant. |
a’ gàgan | moaning, complaining. |
sgiathanach | referring to a timid, nervous animal or person. |