Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance

Informant(s)
Name
Hugh MacLean ( Eoghan MacGilleathain )
Age
64
Origin
Tiriodh [Tiree]
Location
Eilean Thiriodh, Goirtean Dòmhnaill [Tiree, Barrapol]
Notes
  • [NOTES: a note in the margin by Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh (RÓM). See below for details.]
Shapes and general appearance
luireach (m), luirichean (pl)a large clumsy person.
garbhbrawny, muscular.
àrdtall and slim.
troich (m), troicheanan (pl)dwarf.
bola (m), bolaichean (pl) (l – glottal stop)wee fat man (derogatory).
crotaire (m), crotairean (pl)hunchback.
crotach (adj)[hunchbacked.]
duine bacacha lame man (permanent).
duine crubacha lame man (temporary).
pleadhach (adj)splay feet.
cama-chasach (adj)either splayed feet or hen-toed.
craiceann circegoose pimples.
Deformities, blemishes, scars
breacadh an teinidhfireside tartan. (‘teinidh’ – Tiree nom. gen. and dative of ‘teine’.)
breacan-sianfreckles.
milleadh-moigheaichhair lip [sic]. [NOTES: note in the margin – [harelip] RÓM.]
corr-chluasachdeformed ears.
fiar-shùileachsquint (eyes).
duine bearnachone with gaps in teeth.
duine gagachstutterer.
balbhan (m), balbhain (pl)dummy.
dallblind person.
ball-dobhran (m), buill-d.[pl] mole.
triubhas (m), triubhais (pl)birthmark.
foinne (m), foinneachan (pl)wart.
a’ bhreac(breac – adj) the pox (smallpox).
neasgaid (f), neasgaidean (pl)boil.
màthair-ghuir, màthraichean-ghir (pl)abscess.
cnaiseag (f), -an[pl] pimple.
an galar-sploiceadhmumps.
an anachdar uasalV.D.
an clap
crùban (m), crùbain[pl] crabs.
Beauty and ugliness
boidhchead
maise
Beauty
feuchdag or féachdag, féachdagan (pl)a beautiful girl.
bòdhachpretty (girl). (Tiree for ‘bòidheach’.)
maiseachhandsome (male or female).
briaghanice (with reference to a girl’s figure).
eireachdailhandsome (male or female).
grinnbeautiful, nice (girl).
laghachnice in character, kindly (male or female).
lurachreally handsome (girl), more extreme than ‘grinn’ [q.v.], the ultimate!
Ugliness
grannaugly.
mi-mhaiseachugly (not so extreme as ‘granna’ [q.v.]).
Insults
cullach (m), cullaich (pl)a boar – ugly in character. Cullach-cachda.
gallaboth male and female. Mac na galla. Ni’n na galla.
trusdair (m), trusdairean (pl)a cheap rascal.
siùrsach!
bugair, bugairean
diobhal de dhuine
duine diobhalta
a mhic a’ diobhail
icheannach (m), icheannaich (pl)hellyon.
icheannhell. (Not ‘ifrinn’ in Tiree.)
Strength, fitness and the opposite
duine làidir
duine lag
duine comasachfit, able man.
luigeweakness.
neartstrength.
duine foghaineacha strong, well-built man.
smearailable, diligent.
truaghan, truaghain (pl)weakling (and wretch).
duine uileasacha stiff man.
Ways of walking, sitting, lying
coiseachd làidirwalking smartly.
coiseachd slaodachwalking slovenly.
coiseachd gu réidhwalking slowly.
a’ sraideamachdwalking aimlessly.
[sraid]Ghabh mi sraid. – I took a walk.
cliobachclumsy.
neo-shocarachfidgety.
cliobaire, cliobairean (pl)a clumsy man, clot.
socarachrelaxed.
[latha]Tha e ’na latha. – He is lying. (Instead of ‘laighe’ in Tiree.)
[socair]Gabh air do shocair. – Relax.
Pulling faces, frowns, other expressions
draoinmaking faces. Chuir mi draoin orm. – I made an ugly face.
[gruaim]Bha gruaim orm. – I had a frown.
caog (verb)wink. Chaog mi rithe. – I winked at her.
briobail (verb)  (a’ briobal)blink.
fiamh a’ ghairesmile.
[gaire]Rinn mi gaire rithe. – I laughed at her.
geanailfriendly, smiley.
gruamachgloomy.
Clean and untidy
glantidy.
sgiobaltatidy.
snasartidy.
snasmhórtidy.
ròpachuntidy.
ròpaguntidy female.
ròpanuntidy male.
duine sèimhreserved, quiet and peaceful man.
diùidshy.

© DASG
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