Measgaichte / Miscellaneous

Informant(s)
Name
Mrs MacKinnon
Location
Barra, Eoligarry
Date
[1988]
Fieldworker
A. O’Henley
gurcaidha headband or handkerchief used by herring girls. Tied round the head to absorb sweat.
cutaga knife used in fishing industry.
stiùragoatmeal soaked in water. Left for a while and then the water was separated from the oatmeal leaving a drink used for alleviating thirst.
cromadha measurement in waulking tradition. Part of or all of index finger used to measure the amount which the wool had to contract. Informant not sure as regards exact measurement. Would it be the same type of measurement as was used in measuring tobacco?
sìaban boga jelly like substance obtained from mainland. Worked into the cloth during waulking. Made it more supple and easier to work.
sladàidseacha vast amount, e.g. “Nach e a dh’ith a sladàidseach.”
buntata coimheachpotatoes that grow between drills, i.e. having not been planted there, belonging to a previous crop.
straigalaireanliterally stragglers. Used of both animals and humans with a tendency to drift aimlessly from place to place.
saoirsnerelief, e.g. “Thug an cungaidh sin saoirsne mhór dhomh.”
clapsaigto grab, e.g. “clapsaig sin”.
sgreataidhexpression of disgust, abhorrence. Heard this in context of someone complaining of stifling, humid conditions – “O nach robh e sgreataidh a staigh an sud.”
sgreagagfungus growth on all kinds of rocks especially rocks on the shore. Also found on older shellfish.
smodaigused of an attractive, handsome man.
seabhtadha borrowing from the English word ‘shift’. Used in Gaelic for changing your clothes. “An do sheabht thu do léine?”
gurcmeaning a young boy between the age of 10-13. Similar to ‘cnapach’.
stuirceachto be looking poorly. “Chan eil thu coimhead ach stuirceach.”
spliathachsplay footed. Same as ‘pliathach’.
boltrachperfume.
lasadancigarette lighter.
leida makeshift bed made on the floor.

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