Measgaichte / Miscellaneous

Informant(s)
Name
Donald R. Morrison ( Dòmhnall R. Moireasdan )
Age
[55]
Location
Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Date
02/06/1975
Notes
  • [NOTES: the words have been slipped and therefore, apart from the definitions provided by Mr Morrison, the definitions as they appear on the slips have also been included (unless the two were the same).]
Letter (2/6/1975) and word-list (‘Cruinneachadh de dh’fhaclan’)
srucailsliding, slithering.
strucailsliding, slithering. A’ srucail a chasan – an old man’s way of walking.
luireach[sic] armour, tattered old coat. Lùireach de chòt’ air.
ua(dh)-ruda
ua-ruda[NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words.]
ribleach(in ribbons) untidy ends.
riobannanribbons.
riobannribbon.
ròsaidresin.
rollaisteachconfused, mixture. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Catch-word: rolaisteach.]
rabhladhfair amount. Tha rabhladh math ann! – Fishermen having a look in their drift-net(s): of fish. [SLIP: Fair amount. Used by fishermen when having a look in their drift-nets.]
tuingthe rope between the boat and the drift nets, in other words, tow-rope. [SLIP: Tow-rope between boat and drift-nets.]
tiorraghaisI am not sure of this one. Cho fada ris an tiorraghais. Unless it means t-shiorruidhachd fàis – a matter of guess? Perhaps some other place may have the definition.
bancadhbanking.
paitseadhpatching.
tràileadhtrawling.
bonn-a-tacsastand.
spaideireachdfashion.
spaideilwell dressed. Nach h-e tha spaideil.
sporghailgrobing [groping?]. [SLIP: Groping.]
spuinnssponge.
spithagsplinter (stone). [SLIP: stone splinter.]
smiùilprim.
spaidseireachdmaurading. [marauding?] [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Definition: ? Perhaps marauding.]
spuilleaga term associated with a wee boy or girl, ’spiller’.
smoitseachbillows, smoke.
smonaigeadhsmoked. Dha smonaigeadh fhéin – a boat in a spray, in a ‘smoke spray’. Bi thu air do smonaigeadh – smoked.
spaglachadhtrimming. Dha spaglachadh fhéin.
tigh-smogaidhkipper-house (for kippering herring).
tigh-stòirstore-house.
tigh-dubhblack-house, thatched house in the Highlands of Scotland in 19th and the early part of the 20th century.
tigh-sheinnseale house, hotel.
tigh-na-bochdold peoples home.
bothag-cheapturf-bothy.
bòthaglark, bird. Bòthag-mhara – sea-lark.
chorra-ghlascorn-crake or of the corn-crake species. It may not be in the list of bird-names. I take it as we in Scalpay term it: the bird.
mulgaireI think there is a bird of this name. It may not appear in the present lists of bird-names. It pushes, and digs, pushes other birds, it may be of the làmhaire or còin-dhubha species. You may come across it somewhere or other places may have the name for a bird or the word. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Definition: Some species of bird?]
eun-dubhsea-bird about the same size as a puffin with black short beak; black of course but for a white feather showing on its wing, its side. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Definition: Sea-bird (same size as puffin with black, short beak and white feathers on side).]
bagaidcluster. Bagaid de chnòthan.
tugspark. Cha’n’eil mi faighinn tig [sic] ás. This term used in the instance of a car engine or any engine refusing to start. [SLIP: Spark – e.g. of car engine.] [NOTES: the quotation on the slip – ‘Chan eil mi faighinn tug às.’]
marbhalachddeadliness.
meantraigeadhventure.
sgàrdbroken completely. Rinn e direach sgàrd dhe. Especially in the case of a cup or saucer or any utensil. [SLIP: Completely broken. Used especially of a cup, saucer or any utensil.]
stiùirantennae (lobster). [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words.]
clipeana bait cut from the side of a big fish, a strip of fish on a hook being pulled after a moving boat to attract the fish. Fishing likewise le clipean – putting it this way: ‘dragging an artificial eel’. [SLIP: A strip of fish on a hook, used as bait and pulled after a moving boat to attract the fish.] [NOTES: in another word-list sent in by Mr Morrison, this word is spelled ‘cliopan’ and explained as ‘fish-lure’.]
croitsecrutch.
sgudadhsgudding [sic] [scudding?].
ball-mora fisherman’s term for a length of rope behind the main mast. [NOTES: the slip has ‘ball-mór’.]
dubhan-beòila hook in the gunwale of a boat.
duin’-iaruinnfishing net hand hauler winch or hand (iron) winch for hauling nets. [SLIP: Hand winch for hauling in nets.]
cnàmhagsegments of oatmeal in water.
garbhagsprat (fish).
spleadharsaichacting. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words.]
blasdadhblasting.
splaidsearachdsplashing.
spliucfrown.
sturaiceachsulky.
stàrachdpatrol, walking back and fore. [SLIP: Walking to and fro; patrol.]
studaigeadhstudding.
lionsgaradhknowledge acquired or store of knowledge, or ability of extraordinary deliverance in speech. Perhaps you will [sic] [receive? get?] other versions of meaning from other sources. I think you will?
godalaichmumbling.
òparmud stains on the bottom part of a trouser.
lùbarnachhero. Bu tu mo lùbarnach.
caomhanyoung boy, young mild boy. A chaomhain ghlais. [SLIP: Young, mild-mannered boy.]
amaladh(also) planking a wooden boat or ship by wooden pegs.
stùrstoor.
goilegullet. Shios ’na ghoile (fish). [SLIP: Of fish – gullet.]
(common)
basgaidbasket.
crannmast, tree, etc.; crann-sgadain.
crann-sgadainmeasurement of herring (4 basket full).
crann-beairtethe roller on which the tweed is wound.
crann-treabhaidhplough.
àradhladder (we say àradh).
socadh(also) settling.
sòrnadhrest for a burden.
stùrsstoor. Chuir iad stùrs ás. [SLIP: Dust.] [NOTES: there is a question mark on the slip.]
drochaidbridge of a ship.
cèibeincaban [sic] (boat). [SLIP: Cabin (boat).] [NOTES: There is a question mark on the slip.]
tigh-cuibhleadhwheel-house.
dubh-cheannblack-head. Caora dhubh cheannach.
maolbald. Ceann maol sgalach.
beadadhtacking.
tactack (boat).
fear-tac(d)tacksman.
-h-emadhstemming, jaming [sic].

© DASG
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