|
George Alexander Rodger (1908-1980)
A Farmer of 'Croft of Dounie', Kirkmichael, Perthshire, Scotland
[Author of 'GLEANINGS BY 'GLENNER' in 1978]
After his death a tribute was paid to him, and his writings, by ‘The
Scots Language Society’, at the Salutation Hotel, Perth on the 4th of
December, 1985.
AULD
SCOTS WORDS
Of Scots words I ken
quite a few,
And if you like I’ll tell them noo,
Working under stress was "trauchle",
A worn old shoe was ca‘ed a "bauchle".
A "divot" was the name for clod,
A fox was often ca'ed a "tod".
The name for earth or soil was "yird",
The name for bat was`baukie-bird".
A coo withoot a horn was "hummelled"
And if you fell, they said "ye tummelled".
The word for cattle-beasts was "nowt",
A youthful stallion was a "cowt".
The auld Scots word for cough was "hoast",
A "bogle" was a Scottish ghost!
A shirt was often called a "sark",
And "mirk" was aye the word for dark,
A blow or knock was known as "dunt",
The stalk of cabbage was a "runt".
A "maukin" was the name for hare,
A "gliff" was the auld word for scare.
The auld Scots word for bowls was "bools",
Instead o' graves they said "the mools".
The name they had for yawn was "gant",
A speech impediment, a "mant".
A flame was often called a "lowe",
A brush was "besom" or a "cowe".
The word they had for comb was "caim",
Your tummy was a "kite" or "wame",
A reel of thread was aye a "pirn",
To weep would be to "greet" or "girn".
They aye said "daur" instead o' dare,
A "glower" the word they had for stare.
The auld Scots word for hear was "hark!",
A "lav'rock" was the gay skylark.
When folk were tired they felt "forfochen",
The word for quenching thirst was "slochen".
A drunkard was a "drooth" or "boozer",
A travelling stallion was a "cooser".
The auld Scots word for trust was "lippen",
A baby's napkin was a "hippen".
A Scottish midwife was a "howdie",
The mole was often termed "mowdie".
A "ratton" was their name for rat,
And "baudrons" was a pussy-cat.
Directions were described as "airts",
And playing cards were known as "cartes".
A sheep enclosure was a "fank",
Likewise a ditch was called a "stank".
Folk feeling sad would be "gey dowie",
A little barrel was a "bowie".
"Auld Nick" was how they styled The Deevil,
A porridge pot-stick was a "theevil".
To fondle tenderly was "cuddlin'",
And catchin' troots by hand was "guddlin'”.
Colic in horses was a "teenge",
For scourin' pots wives used a "reenge".
For puff or pant the word was "pech",
The vulgar name for flea was "flech!"
The shafts o' carts were aye ca'ed "trams",
Knee-belts of course were "nicky-tams".
A wee stack was a "hut" or "frandy",
Licentious conduct — "houghmagandie".
To "flype" was turn outside in,
And "widdershins" was 'gainst the sun,
Green level meadow-lands were "haughs",
The soople willow wands were "saughs".
Ben-the-hoose was named "the spence",
And "gumption" meant plain common-sense.
"Aise" was the auld Scots name for ashes,
The word for troublesome was "fashious".
A cattleman was styled "the purler",
A piece of bed-room ware "a durler".
A brisk young chap would be a "birkie",
A "bubbly-jock" was a male turkey.
The blacksmith's shop was aye "the smiddy",
Dirty, ragged bairns were "duddie".
A small amount was "tic" or "wheen",
Christina's name was cut to "Teen".
The curlews were described as "whaups",
And brose-bowls made o' wood were "caups".
"Girss" was the ancient word for grass,
A "cuddy" was the humble ass.
I've reached the end o' my lang tether,
I hope that you've enjoyed my blether!
To Readers who have come thus far
I'll say, "TA, TA," and "AU REVOIR".
 |
