Measgaichte / Miscellaneous

Informant(s)
Name
John MacInnes
Location
South Uist, Daliburgh
Date
[1987-88]
Fieldworker
A. O’Henley
paidhrigeadha term in road building. Refers to the gravel and debris that would accumulate at the side of a road as traffic passed through. Workmen used to shovel this gravel back into the middle of the known [sic]. Maybe this is a borrowing from ‘repair’ in English.
coimeiseacha word which is often placed before ‘tric’ in a sentence. “Bi e a’ dol coimeiseach tric a Steornabhagh.”
spéilteif you are spared; if you have the time.
bùtarrasa change in weather conditions bringing storm and rain. “Tha bùtarras orra a nochd.”
lofaireachd [? iofaireachd?]dodging or idling.
absaga haversack.
stràpto be taken for a ride or mug by someone else. “Chaidh do chur ann an stràp.”
soireghas (-ach)windy and rainy weather. “Tha coltas soireghasach orra an diugh.”
cliopachhobbling old person.
gnòigeissurliness, peevishness.
tòinleaganto wriggle along the ground on your bottom as a young child would do.
glocailbawling and shouting.
cabadhto notch or scratch your shoes.
smalaga coal fish which is two seasons old.
tatadhto win over, befriend. “’S gun tatadh e nàmhaid le mànran bho bheul.”
uaillearvain, vain glory.
fiùthairexpecting something. “Bha fiùthair agam ri litir.” Also heard as ‘feothair’.
liunnteaginformant is not absolutely sure as to validity of this word but thinks he heard it being used to mean a washing machine.
frothais (-each)nervous(ness).
oileadhagnoise, stir, commotion. Also ‘oileadhag’ used to mean a gust of wind – “oileadhag gaoithe”.
inneal ùillidhan oil can.
trìnnlich (-each)trouble. Same as ‘trìleach’?
darrarantstriking of consecutive notes on the bagpipes. “’S iad a’ bualadh le darrarant.”
cìochagused for a plug, e.g. in a basin, bath.
splaoida visit. “Chaidh e null a thaigh Iain air splaoid.”
dearraisnoise, clamour.
claidreadhthe clattering, clashing of steel.
caisleadhto rouse, stir up.
gròcadheyeing something stealthily. “Cha ruig thu leas a bhi gròcadh air an sin.”
tiopa-taipconfusion, muddled up.
sglàmhalabusive. “Bha iad gu math sglàmhal ris.”
niùcborrowing of ‘neuk’; in a corner.
ùmbaidhderogatory term for a useless, quiet person.
sùlaga hollow between little hillocks.
sguaireadhbuilding term, meaning to square something off.
leapaich (-eadh)literally to secure or bed. Also used in building trade, meaning to bed or settle a stone in the appropriate place.
murracaireany flotsam or debris found on the shore.
am fagusgin the neighbourhood of, on the premises of, e.g. a house, croft, farm.
magaireachdpoking fun at someone.
a’ sgiabadhto break out in laughter. Refers to the opening of the mouth.
bodach sgilidhan instrument used for shelling grain.
sgocha gash or graze on the flesh.
craoiceallan old, craggy featured man.
bailcforehead.
cànranaichtalking between a group of friends.
cròinteansheep folds.
bruthaist (-e)a concoction or brose-like substance made for curing minor illnesses such as colds.
stiream-starumrefers to the clatter of horses’ feet as they walk.
palàbharmaking a show, showing off. “Seall thusa am palàphar a tha na daoine sin a’ deanamh.”
stiorraid (-each, -an)long, thin, scraggy person.
ag iomspaideal mu chuairtglancing about furtively.
spoltadhcarve up into pieces, e.g. meat, fish.
cinneceadhnervousness displayed in strange surroundings or company. Usually displayed by fidgeting with clothes.

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