Spik

/AHB-er/

Eager and enthusiastic; keen to join

“He's aaber tae come alang.”

/AA-fil/

intensifier meaning very or extremely

“Da wind is aafil cauld.”

/AALD/

old; lived or existed for long

“Da aald man aye sits bi da voe”

/AAR-ee/

Sharp, unpleasant taste; acrid, biting

“Da jam's aari, I canna eat it.”

/ah-BOHN/

situated above; at a higher level

“Da hoose is abön da brae.”

/AKHT/

cherished personal possession; treasured item

“Da acht's aye wi' me”

/AYRT-KENT/

widely known by many people

“Da's aert kent”

/AFF/

Shetland form of 'off'

“She's aff tae da shop.”

/uh-FOR/

Before in time or order

“He cam afore me tae the fair”

/AYJ-uh-ah-TYM/

happens now and then; occasionally

“Ah gang tae Lerwick aidge o a time.”

/AL-uhn/

predatory seabird that steals food

“Ah saw alan nabbin fish frae the gulls.”

/UH-LAYN/

By oneself; without any company

“A'm alane the nicht.”

/AHNT/

pay attention to; give heed

“Ant whit Ah telt ye.”

/AN-uhn-der/

down below; beneath; under something

“Da cat's anunder da bed”

/uh-PEER-uhns/

a sign indicating presence of something

“Da appearance o' gulls at da pier aye means oor bait's near.”

/AHRK/

very large chest; unusually big thing

“Da farmer's got an ark o a tractor.”

/EYE-er/

narrow shingle or sandy beach

“A'm gaen tae the ayre the morn”

/BANGK/

moorland patch where peat is cut

“Aa'll gae tae da bank the morn an cut turf.”

/BANKS/

steep coastal cliffs or bluffs

“Mind the banks, they're sair steep.”

/BANKS-FLOO-er/

coastal pink tufted wildflower

“Da banks flooer is gey braw alang da clifftop”

/BAN-uk/

nickname for someone from Dunrossness

“Yon bannock's juist come intae toon”

/BAHRD/

steep rocky headland into the sea

“We'll gae up the bard an keek oot.”

/BAT/

a small puff of wind

“Did ye feel that bat?”

/BEH-DAT/

At that time; back then

“She cam hame be dat.”

/BAIR/

Blown along by wind; to drift

“Da snaw bears ower da voe.”

/BEEK/

to bathe or bask in sun

“Ah'm gaen tae beek oan t' stanes.”

/BYDE-YOO/

sharp command telling someone to wait

“Bide you! Mind yer tung.”

/BIL-ee/

contemptuous term for a man

“Yon billie is nae use at a'.”

/BURL/

spin quickly on the spot

“Come birl wi' us the nicht.”

/BIR-lin/

To spin or whirl around quickly

“She wis birlin aboot the kitchen.”

/BIT-er-ness/

state of being bitter or resentful

“The bitterness o the north wind bites reet through ye.”

/BLAY/

small spot or stain on surface

“Ther's a wee blae on ma sark.”

/BLED-ik SPOOT/

Informal nickname for someone from Tingwall

“Da bleddick spoot is gey braw.”

/BLOHD FREENDS/

People related by blood

“Ma blöd freends'll be heima the nicht.”

/BLYD/

cheerful, pleased, content feeling

“Ah'm blyde wi the news.”

/BOHGZ/

small crawling or flying creatures

“Da's boags i' the kytchen.”

/BOH-nee/

Visually pleasing; pretty and attractive

“Da boannie boat lay in da voe.”

/BONG/

To strike and make a deep sound

“Da bell bongs ower da voe.”

/BOOF/

dull heavy thud when landing

“Da box gaed a boof oan da floer.”

/BRAK-up/

introduce a topic in conversation

“A'll brack up the tack at the meetin.”

/BRAHT/

cloth tied at waist to protect clothing

“Dinna forget yer brat.”

/BREEK-BAHND/

cloth band at top of trousers

“Dinnae lat yer breek baand slipp.”

/BRUN-ee/

Traditional Shetland oat scone

“Gie's a warm brönnie an a cup o tea.”

/BRUHNT/

Slightly burned or singed by heat

“Da loaf's brunt”

/BRUHN-RIFT/

burning chest or throat pain

“Ah've got a brunt rift efter da tea”

/BUGG-ee-FLOO-er/

coastal white-flowered campion plant

“Da's buggiflooer alang the clift.”

/BUL-der/

loud roaring or gurgling water sound

“Da burn's a sair bulder.”

/BURD/

young bird, recently left nest

“Yon burd's nae fleyed o me.”

/BUHT-end/

Main front room of a croft house

“Coom intae the but end.”

/KAA-TUH/

a noisy commotion or fuss

“A caa tö gaed oan efter the match.”

/KAYN-tym/

Season for bringing hill sheep home

“Noo's caain time, aa'll hing tae the brae.”

/KAJ/

Beg or sponge off someone

“He's aye cadgin' frae the neebors”

/KAL-uh-FINE/

graphite writing and drawing pencil

“Gie's the calafine, A'm gaein tae draw.”

/ka-LOO/

Shetland name for long-tailed duck

“Da calloo lit on the skerry”

/KAR-vee SEEDZ/

Aromatic seeds used to flavour food

“Pit a wheen carvy seeds oan the bannocks.”

/KAST/

method or manner of working

“He's aye got a braw cast wi the net.”

/KLAH/

scratch or scrape with the nails

“Da cat claa da doo”

/KLAG/

to stick or make things stick

“Da mud'll clag oan ma boots.”

/KLASH/

chat informally, exchange local gossip

“A'll clash wi her efter tea”

/KLIN-kin/

Extremely good or impressively excellent

“Dat's clinkin!”

/KLIP/

Long handled pole with a hook

“Gie's the clip an' Aw'll snag thon cod oot.”

/KLOD/

small hard lump of peat

“Mind the clod, it's gey hard.”

/KLOOR/

To scratch with nails or claws

“Da cat cloor da soffa.”

/KLOSS/

short narrow lane between houses

“Tak the closs tae the ferry”

/KLUMP/

to walk with heavy thudding steps

“He aye clumps alang da shore.”

/KOHG/

to look closely, often squinting

“Coag a wee an ye'll ken whit I'm pointin' tae.”

/KOG/

small wooden boat or tub

“Ah'll row the cog tae the voe.”

/KOORS/

Rough, stormy weather; unsettled conditions

“It's coorse oot.”

/KRAB-it/

bad-tempered, easily annoyed and sullen

“Da auld man is crabbit tiday”

/KRAYG/

the neck or throat area

“Da dug's got a wee nick oan its craig.”

/KREEKS/

Aching, stiff legs after much walking

“Aw'm creeks efter da lang walk”

/KRUK/

hook for pot; sheep ear mark

“Da crook's missin frae the beam.”

/KROOS/

Cheerful, lively; in good spirits

“Da bairn's croose wi' his new toy”

/KRAI/

to call out or proclaim

“He gied a wild cry at da harbour”

/KYUR-ee-us/

eager and keen to learn

“A'm cürious fit ye'll dae.”

/KURR-ee/

Causing affection; charming and lovable

“Da wee bairn is pure currie.”

/DAHG/

fine persistent drizzle or close mist

“Da dag's hingin aboot.”

/DAHNG/

flung or knocked to the ground

“Da gail dang da gate fae its hingis”

/da-STREEN/

on the night just past

“Dastreen da gale blew sair.”

/DAY-set/

Onset of twilight and nightfall

“We'll gae hame at dayset.”

/DAIRZ-uh-LOSS/

Dismisses something as unimportant

“He telt me "dere's a loss!" an I didna fash.”

/DIRR/

slight rapid trembling movement

“Da laamp dirr in da draug”

/DURT/

Exclamation meaning nonsense or rubbish

“Da's dirt, a'll nae hae it”

/DOY-tin/

Dazed and not thinking clearly

“A'm doitin efter the news.”

/DUH-less/

Lacking energy or motivation

“He's döless an winnae lift a haun.”

/DOOK/

quickly lower head to avoid strike

“He gied a dook as the lad swung.”

/DOW/

to droop and become limp

“Da flowers hae dowe efter da hot day”

/DREEKH/

provisions or food that sustain life

“We hae dreach aneuch for the week.”

/DRAYD/

to suspect, often with anxiety

“A'm dreid the ferry winna come.”

/DRUM-ee BEE/

large fuzzy bee that pollinates

“Yon drummie bee's humman aboot the clover.”

/DUMP-izd/

feeling low and disheartened

“A'm dumpised the noo.”

/DWINE/

to waste away, fade, or decline

“Da croft's dwine awa.”

/EENZ/

Plural pronoun meaning those

“Eans bairns bide hyar.”

/ERT/

well known, recognised, and familiar

“Gae that ert.”

/FAD-um/

Nautical depth unit equal six feet

“Da angor's set at twa faddom”

/FAYRD/

Easily frightened; feeling fear or apprehension

“Dinna be faird.”

/FEGZ/

brief exclamation of surprise or emphasis

“Fegs, da's a braw sight!”

/FAY/

teasingly calling someone foolish or bewitched

“Ach, ye fey, ye hed some nerve!”

/FEER/

Up to a certain time or event

“Ah'll bide fir the boat comes in.”

/FIT-rig/

turning area at field end

“Pit the ploo roond the fit rig.”

/FLEKH/

tiny biting insect; teasing small person

“Och, ye're jist a flech.”

/FLEG/

brief sudden fright or alarm

“I hed a fleg whan the boat cam in”

/FLIT/

change residence; shift grazing animal

“A'm gaun tae flit the morn”

/FLIT-in/

moving one's household to a new home

“Wir flittin tae the new hoose the morn.”

/FOR-bee/

in addition to or besides

“Forby da fish, we hed tatties”

/FOR-jee/

to pardon or excuse someone

“Forgie him, he didnae mean it”

/FOR-leg-en/

Utterly confused and completely worn out

“Ah'm forlegen efter the lang day.”

/FREEND/

family member; relation by blood or marriage

“Yon freend's ma mither's brither.”

/FROHD/

bubbly foam on liquid surface

“Da's a wee froad on the tay.”

/FUN/

Past participle of find; discovered

“A've fun it in the hoose”

/GAYP/

person who spreads others' business

“Dinna tell yon gaep owt”

/GAYT/

narrow path or short walk

“Ah'll tak the gaet hame.”

/GAG-it/

feeling irritated or put out

“He's fair gaggit noo.”

/GAN-zee/

traditional Shetland fisherman's wool sweater

“Tak on yer gansey, it's cauld oot.”

/GENG/

to walk or to fit clothing

“A'm geng alang tae da shore”

/GEEN-in/

Become smaller after washing or wear

“Ma jumper's gien in efter washin.”

/GLAYP/

To gulp down food or drink

“He glaep his suppie in nae time.”

/GLOED/

gentle steady warmth or soft radiance

“Da glöd frae da fire gae hir face a douce licht”

/GLOW-er/

stare fixedly with sullen anger

“She gies me a glower.”

/GOK/

foolish, easily fooled person

“Da gock fell for yon aul tale.”

/GOR-ee/

brief exclamation of mild surprise

“Gori, whit's yon?”

/GUT/

Doorstep; low strip at a doorway

“Mind the göt when ye come in.”

/GREEN-PAYK/

early fresh green grass shoots

“Tak the sheep aff da green paek.”

/GREE-tee/

Prone to crying; easily brought to tears

“Da wee bairn's greety, greetin at every tale.”

/GRIND/

movable barrier marking entrance between fields

“Hae ye shut the grind?”

/GRIN-din/

cat's soft contented rumbling sound

“Da kit lay on ma lap wi a wee grindin.”

/GRIT/

Notably large; of great bulk

“Da's a grit boat.”

/GROO-ul/

Thin porridge or sloppy mixture

“A'll no hae da gruel.”

/GUY-zer/

person wearing disguise for festivities

“Da guizer cam raond wi a bonnie mask.”

/GUN-dee/

Traditional Shetland toffee-like sweet

“Aw'll sav a wee bit o gundy for the bairns.”

/HAHF/

deep open sea, offshore fishing grounds

“Us'll gae oot tae the haaf the morn.”

/HAANDZ-TURN/

short stint of manual labour

“Aye, it's ma haand's turn tae mend the net.”

/HAIR/

tiny particle; slightest visible trace

“Nae hair o' the bannock left”

/HAYRST/

autumn harvest; gathering of crops

“Hairst's here an' the fowk's oot at the rigs.”

/HAIR-ee-MOHL-dit/

covered in fuzzy green growth

“Dinna eat da, it's hairy möldit.”

/HAF-GAYTS/

Partway between two places or stages

“A'm half gaets hame.”

/HAHRNZ/

the brain; mental capacity or intelligence

“Da bairn's got braw harns.”

/HAHS/

Throat; specifically the windpipe

“Da bairn near choked his hass wi a bit o' fish.”

/HAST-ee-DEE/

leave quickly; hurry away

“Haste dee, da ferry's gaun.”

/HED-likht/

feeling dizzy or lightheaded

“Ah'm a wee headlicht efter da kirk dance”

/HEER-in/

a surprising reported tale or rumour

“There's a queer hearin gaun roond.”

/HEELD/

Lean or tip over; cause to capsize

“Da boat heeld ower in da gale.”

/HEFT/

Handle or prized personal possession

“Mind the heft, it's auld an' dear tae me.”

/HEG-ree/

heron; nickname for a lanky person

“Hegri, ye're late agin.”

/HELL-ee MURLD/

graveyard or cemetery; 'holy earth'

“Ah'll gang tae the helli möld.”

/HEL-sin/

exclamation used to greet arrivals

“Helsin, braw te see ye!”

/HENCH/

upper thigh or buttock area

“Mind yer hench, da floor's slippit.”

/HER-sel/

reflexive form of the pronoun her

“She telt the bairn a story hersel.”

/HETH/

mild exclamation for surprise or annoyance

“Heth, ye canna dae that!”

/HYDE/

animal skin or pelt

“Da's a bonnie hide frae the seal”

/HIN-der/

Prevent or obstruct; exclamation of surprise

“Hinder, ye wadnae dae that!”

/HIT-sel/

reflexive for things or animals

“Da dug lickit hitsel”

/HOKH/

Back part of the upper leg

“I hae a sair hoch efter da fae.”

/HOO/

small dogfish and Lunnasting nickname

“Da hoe swam near da boat”

/HOYD/

To hide; put out of sight

“Hoid it awa in ma drawer.”

/HOHLD/

Kept or grasped; held in place

“Ah'll höld the boat fir ye.”

/HOHM/

small low-lying islet near shore

“Da bairns gaed oot tae da holm.”

/HOO-roh/

loud noisy commotion or disturbance

“Fit a hooro at da pier yisterday.”

/HUF-see/

home-baked cake made without recipe

“Gie us a bit o that hufsi.”

/HUNS-uh/

poke through to find something

“Gie't me an' I'll hunse the bag.”

/HUR-less/

Utterly exhausted; drained of energy

“A'm hurless etter da lang wark.”

/HYOOK/

Curved hand sickle or fishing tool

“He gaed oot wi' the hyook an' a line.”

/ID-erz/

the others; remaining people or things

“Gi'e idders a chance noo.”

/IGG/

Urge someone on; encourage action

“Dinna igg him oan, he'll dae it.”

/IL-DUR/

person who commits harmful acts

“Da ill döer set da hoose oan fire.”

/IL-FAIRD/

Worn, shabby, or poorly treated

“Da boat's ill faared eftir a' the storms.”

/IL-HELT/

Not in good health; unwell

“Han been ill helt sin yestreen.”

/IL-LAYK/

Seeming unwell or not quite right

“He's ill laek the noo”

/IL-TRIFT/

Expression of pity for misfortune

“Ill trift! The boat's lost i' t' storm.”

/il-VAHN-dit/

Poorly raised, rude child

“Och, ye ill vaandit, bide awa!”

/IH-THOOT/

not having; in the absence of

“Ah canna dae it ithoot yer help”

/JEE-lee/

sweet cooked fruit spread, like jam

“Gi me a wee bit o' jeely.”

/JAWNZ-mass/

Midsummer day observed on June 24

“A'm gled for johnsmass.”

/KAR-rant/

noisy, boisterous and great fun

“Da bairns wur fair karrant yisternicht.”

/KILT/

hitch up a skirt or dress

“Kilt yer frock, we're gaun oot.”

/KIRK-FOWK/

members of the church congregation

“Da kirk folk met an' sang.”

/KIST/

wooden chest sometimes used as coffin

“Staw it in the auld kist.”

/KLAIR/

Cooked and ready to eat

“Gie's a bit o' that klair.”

/K-nap/

put on an English-sounding accent

“Dinnae knap yersel.”

/KOK-uh-LOOR-ee/

small white daisy-like lawn flower

“Da kokkaloorie is braw.”

/KROL-kit/

Bent or twisted; not aligned

“Da gate's fair krolkit”

/KYAHN-dit/

counted, tallied, added up

“Ah hae the creels kyaandit.”

/LAHD/

young woman's romantic partner

“Mi laad cam tae da dance yestreen.”

/LAA-lee/

pampered child or beloved plaything

“Da laalie aye sits in Mam's airms.”

/LAYKH/

low-lying, level area of ground

“Da laich's gey mucky efter da rain.”

/LAYTH/

unwilling, disinclined to take action

“A’m laith tae gang oot the nicht”

/LANG-sin-SINE/

a long time ago

“Ah saw him lang sin syne”

/LEER/

knowledge gained by study or experience

“A hae nae lear aboot engines.”

/LEE/

to tell a deliberate falsehood

“Dinna lee tae me.”

/LEM/

clay cooking and serving vessel

“Set the lem on the ingle tae warm.”

/LIK/

A sudden blow or quick burst

“Da horse gied it a lick an' set aff”

/LIFT/

sky and sea rising or swelling

“Da lift's fu o starns the nicht.”

/LIN/

to stop or cease activity

“Lin noo, there's nae mair tae say”

/LIP-en/

to wait with eager expectation

“Ah'm lippen fer the ferry.”

/LUHD/

a person's mood or a tune

“She's aye hummin a löd.”

/LONG-ee/

black and white seabird, common murre

“Yon longie sittin on the clift.”

/LOOM/

to look, stare, or seem

“She looms oot the windae.”

/LOW-uh/

the visible burning part of fire

“Da lowe's gaein oot.”

/LUHK/

Coax or plead to persuade someone

“A'll luck him intae comin alang.”

/MAHL/

soft-headed hammer for gentle striking

“Gie me the maal.”

/MAL-li-vog/

put things into proper order

“A'll mallivoag the hoose afore folk come.”

/MASK/

To steep tea leaves in water

“A'll mask the tay.”

/MEN-shun/

a very small amount or touch

“Gie the tatties a mention o' butter.”

/MID-lin/

to a moderate or tolerable degree

“Ah'm middlin pleased wi't.”

/MINK-ee/

very small, little in size

“Yon minkie lamb 'ill sleep in ma haun.”

/MIS-kah/

To slander or speak ill of someone

“He aye miscaa aboot her i' toun.”

/MOOL/

Coastal headland projecting into the sea

“We'll gae tae da mool.”

/MOR-tal/

Utterly drunk and incapacitated

“He wis mortal an cudna get tae hame.”

/MUCK-uhl/

Of considerable size or amount

“Thair's a muckle hoose at the heid o' the voe.”

/NEB/

bird's projecting pointed mouthpart

“Da bonxie's neb's lang an' sharp.”

/NED-er/

neither of two options

“Nedder o them wanted tae gang.”

/NEE-bit/

slightly unwell, a bit off

“Da bairn's no reet, she's neebit.”

/NEE-bur/

person beside or matching counterpart

“Ma neebour's aye helpful.”

/NEER/

the kidney organ of people or animals

“Da neer's gey sair.”

/NEEST/

tiny glowing particle from a fire

“Yon neist fladdert oot fae da fire.”

/NES/

headland projecting into the sea

“We gaed oot tae da ness.”

/NOO-er-day/

First day of the calendar year

“Hae a guid newerday.”

/NOO-ahn-SAY/

Neither particularly good nor bad

“Da tea wis noo an sae.”

/NOR-ee/

a puffin; nickname for Foula islander

“Da norie's aye hingin' aboot da cliffs.”

/NYE-ARG/

to complain or nag repeatedly

“She's aye full o nyarg.”

/NYO-ag/

to low; to moo like a cow

“Da braw coo nyoag oan the brae.”

/NYURL/

to grumble or complain softly

“Da auld lass aye nyurl aboot da weather.”

/ON-LUK-in/

Attractive and pleasant to look at

“She's awfy onlookin the nicht”

/OO/

wool from sheep for making textiles

“A'll knit wi da oo.”

/OOK/

a period of seven days

“A'll see ye in an ook”

/OOR-ee/

strangely unsettling or eerie quality

“Yon hoose is awfy oorie.”

/OOT-WAY-lins/

discarded bits or leftover pieces

“A've nae use for thae oot waelins.”

/URZ-wal/

customary; occurring as normally expected

“It's öswal da hoose smells o' bannocks on Sunday mornin.”

/OWS/

to bail water from a boat

“Owse the skiff an' we'll row awa.”

/OY/

male child of one's sibling

“Mi oy's oot playin.”

/PAAP/

small fleshy projection, nipple or uvula

“Da bairn's aye wantin the mither's paap.”

/PELT/

to rush or dash quickly

“He pelt awa tae the boat.”

/PENK/

To make one's appearance neater

“Ah'll penk masel afore we gae oot.”

/per-NIK-uh-tee/

fussy about small details, hard to please

“He's awfy pernickety wi da tea.”

/PIK-it/

extremely filthy; heavily soiled

“Dinna sit dah, it's pickit.”

/PIL-ee/

Shetland dialect word for penis

“Dinnae be showin yer pillie oot.”

/PIL-tuk/

young pollack; Whalsay islander nickname

“Da piltock hid alang da reef.”

/PLEEP/

short high-pitched bird chirp

“We cud hear a pleep frae the dyke.”

/PLIV-vur/

small coastal shorebird a plover

“Yon plivver nivver bides still.”

/PLOOK/

small inflamed spot on skin

“Ther's a wee plook oan ma chin.”

/PLUMP/

sudden heavy burst of rain

“Agaen cam a plump an aa wur dreech.”

/POOSK/

Poke or rummage to find

“Divnae poosk throo ma tings!”

/PRIT-ee DAN-sers/

colourful dancing lights in the sky

“Ah keekit at the pretty dancers abuin the skay.”

/PYAAG/

toil until completely worn out

“Ah've been pyaag a' day.”

/RAHD/

habit of using resources sparingly

“Da's gey raad wi his siller.”

/RAHN/

fish eggs; the roe of fish

“A'm gannin tae fry the raan the nicht.”

/RAMS/

bitter and overpowering in taste

“Da tea's ramse, I cannae swally it.”

/RIFT/

to noisily expel gas from stomach

“He aye rift efter his tea.”

/RIP/

strong, fast-moving local tidal current

“Tak tent, there's a rip in da voe”

/REEV/

tear apart; romp or work vigorously

“The bairns rive aboot the hoose”

/ROOSK/

Big, burly, sturdy Shetland man

“Yon roosk aye helps wi da boat.”

/ROES/

to praise; speak well of someone

“Aw'll rös ye fer da braw wark.”

/ROH/

to roll or tumble along surface

“Da barrel rowe doon da brae”

/RUG/

pull with short, sharp jerks

“Dinnae rug the line, Will.”

/SAAN-dee-EEL/

juvenile slender sand-eel fish

“Ye'll fin' a saandy eel near t' strand.”

/SAN-uh/

Negative auxiliary meaning shall not

“Ah sanna gang hame the nicht.”

/SAIR-ee/

easily offended or emotionally sensitive

“Dinna be sary.”

/SKAF/

eat quickly and greedily

“He'll scaff his tea in nae time.”

/SKARF/

dark fish-diving seabird, the cormorant

“Da scarf sat oan da stane.”

/SKAART/

scrape causing a small abrasion

“Dinna scart yer han on the stane.”

/SKLAYT/

flat piece of roofing or writing slate

“Da sclate blew aff da roof yestreen.”

/SKREE-chum/

Shetland dialect word for whisky

“Hae ye a wee sup o' screecham?”

/SKREECH/

a loud, high-pitched piercing cry

“Da bairn lett oot a scriech.”

/SEG/

marsh plant, yellow-flag iris

“Ah seen seg alang da burn.”

/SAYKH/

audible breath expressing weariness or relief

“Seich, a'm fair beat.”

/SHAIR/

single-seat piece of furniture

“Tak a wee sit on the shair.”

/SHAP-it TAT-eez/

Soft creamy mashed Shetland potatoes

“A'll mak shappit tatties for oor tea.”

/SHAHRK/

Nickname for someone from Bressay

“Yon shark's braw company.”

/SHEELD/

informal word for a man or companion

“Da sheeld's awa tae fish.”

/SHEEP-TEEF/

Traditional nickname for someone from Yell

“Yon sheep tief's a canny yin.”

/SHEET/

to hurry; move very quickly

“Sheet oot tae da pier!”

/SHIN/

lower front part of the face

“A'll wipe ma shin.”

/SHIV/

to thrust or push suddenly

“Dae nae shiv me!”

/SHOH/

third-person feminine pronoun meaning 'she'

“Shö's haulin the creels.”

/SHOHL/

Scoop out or shuffle along

“A'll shöl the snaw aff the step.”

/SHOON/

Pairs of footwear; plural of shoe

“Tak yer shön oan afore ye gae oot.”

/SHOO-der/

sudden involuntary shiver or tremble

“He shoodered frae the cauld.”

/SHOON/

small Shetland loch or pond

“Da shun bides doon by the brae.”

/SIK-uhn-SIK/

vague placeholder for unspecified person or thing

“A met sic an sic doon by the harbour.”

/SIK-LAYK/

Only mildly unwell; fairly healthy

“He's siclaek the day, he'll bide fine.”

/SY-dee/

placed alongside another object

“Pit the skiff sidey da pier.”

/SIN-SEEN/

from that time onward

“Sin syne A've aye been at t' croft.”

/SIR-pin/

soaking wet through and through

“Ye cam sirpin frae da shore”

/SIKS-ern/

six oared open fishing boat

“A'm gaen oot in the sixern the morn”

/SKAHP/

bed or colony of sea mussels

“Da skaap cling tae da stane.”

/SKAAR/

a very small portion

“Mum aye gies me a skaar frae the jam.”

/SKAYV/

crooked, not straight or level

“Da pictur on da wa's skave.”

/SKEET/

to skip or spray across water

“He skeet the stane ower the voe.”

/SKYOO-WEEF/

crooked or lopsided; awkwardly angled

“Da pictur's aw skew wheef oan da wull.”

/SKUB/

fine mist or light drizzle

“Da skub's hingin aboot da shore”

/SKULT/

bony head structure enclosing the brain

“Mind yer skult when ye gang doon.”

/SKUNG-uh/

to sweep or brush something away

“Skunge da boord, bairn.”

/SLAP/

gap in a dry-stone wall

“Mind the slap afore ye gang ower.”

/SMOOK/

Pull a garment on or off

“A'll smook ma jacket on afore we gang oot.”

/SNIK/

flick a switch to turn on

“Snick da licht, it's gettin mirk.”

/SNUHRL/

small twist in rope or brow

“Gie a keek at the snurl in the sheet.”

/SON-see/

Pleasingly attractive; pretty (of women)

“Yon's a sonsie lass.”

/SOOK/

dry clothing outdoors in wind

“A'll sook the claes oan the riggin.”

/SOOTH-MOO-thur/

newcomer to the Shetland islands

“Yon sooth moother aye asks aboot the boats.”

/SPAY-jee/

muscle ache after heavy exertion

“A'm gey spent an haes a spaegie.”

/SPAY-kuh-LAY-shun/

widely discussed community rumour or topic

“Hae ye heard the spaekalation gaein aboot the pier?”

/SPEER/

to ask or seek information

“Gae speer aboot the ferry times.”

/SPEET/

brief intense shower of rain

“Bide inside, there's a speet.”

/SPYOO/

a disgusting or offensive sight

“That's pure spew”

/SPRIT/

make a quick dash on foot

“He hed tae sprit tae ketch the bus.”

/STAHB/

wooden fence post driven into ground

“Pit the stab in the grund.”

/STAK/

tall sea rock or peat pile

“Da stack's a grand sicht.”

/STAHRT/

a very short space of time

“Ah'll be back in a start.”

/STAHR-tee/

easily startled and nervously fidgety

“Da bairn's starty an hiz fit's aye skitterin.”

/STEN-SHAK-er/

small migratory pale-plumaged songbird

“Ah seen a sten shakker oan da machair this morn.”

/STIME/

squint or peer to see clearly

“Stime at yon far boat, I cannae mak it oot.”

/STOK/

central core of cabbage or kale

“Tak the stock oot afore ye boil the kale.”

/STRAM-ash/

Noisy commotion or uproar; loud fuss

“There wis a stramash at the pier lastnicht.”

/STRAMP/

march heavily with forceful steps

“He stramp alang the brae.”

/STRET/

Snug and closely fitted to body

“Da auld frock is awfy stret.”

/STROO-pee/

Shetland name for a teapot

“Gie us da stroopie an we'll hae a sup.”

/STRUHG/

To work hard; to struggle

“A strug wi the nets this mornin'.”

/STUHNK/

gasp or breathe hard after exertion

“Aw stunk efter rennin up the brae”

/SWEE/

to scorch or sizzle; sting

“Mind yer haun, the pan'll swee ye.”

/SWEET/

Fresh, newly drawn milk

“That sweet milk's reet braw.”

/SWIL/

rinse or gulp to clear throat

“Tak a swill o watter.”

/SIGH-STEN/

Stone for sharpening knives and tools

“A'll whet ma knaif oan the sye sten.”

/SINE/

then at that time afterwards

“We hed oor tea, syne we gaed oot.”

/TAH-tee MOELD/

small plot for growing potatoes

“A'll gang an keek at the taatie möld.”

/TAAV/

Stuff boat seams to stop leaks

“We maun taav the seams afore we gang oot.”

/TAAV-REENS/

underground plant parts that absorb water

“Mind ye na pull oot the taavreens.”

/TAIR/

a salty drop from the eye

“She hed a taer rinnin doon her cheek”

/TAHK/

moment a fish takes bait

“Da tak wis gey strong.”

/TANG-WAWP/

Shetland name for whimbrel shorebird

“Da tang whaup skirlit alang da voe.”

/TEE-tik/

small brown meadow pipit bird

“Da teetik's peckin aboot da heather.”

/TIM-er/

unable to hear or sing pitch

“Da Jock's timmer, sae we pit him at the drum.”

/TING/

a small child or youngster

“Da ting's gane tae bed.”

/TIRD/

to take off clothing quickly

“She tird aff her coat an bolted oot.”

/TIRN/

Easily annoyed and ill-tempered

“She's fair tirn wi folk.”

/TIT-ee/

young woman or girl (Shetland)

“Da tittie cam tae da dance.”

/TOON/

enclosed arable ground or town

“A'll pit the seed in da toon.”

/TOOS-kit/

hair or clothes messy and untidy

“She's aye tooskit efter a verra lang day.”

/TRIKE/

to wander without any fixed purpose

“He gaes tae traik aboot.”

/TRAWTH/

Shetland exclamation meaning indeed or truly

“Trath, ye telt me sae.”

/TRIG/

to tidy or spruce up

“Gie the hoose a trig afore the fowk come.”

/TROHK/

to swap goods without using money

“A troke ma hen fer a sack o' meal.”

/TROT-el/

sulkily mutter or grumble under breath

“He tröttel as he gied oot the door.”

/TROW/

Shetland goblin or mischievous sprite

“Da trow's hid ma keys agen.”

/TWAHL/

mid-morning cup of tea break

“A’m gaen for a twall.”

/TWIG/

to grasp or understand; sometimes pull

“Da ye twig whit Ah'm on aboot?”

/TIS-tee/

small black-and-white coastal seabird

“Da tystie sat on da skerry”

/UN-HAN-dee/

awkward, inconvenient to use or handle

“Da new ladder's a bitt unhaandy.”

/un-POSS-uh-bul/

not able to happen or be achieved

“Da's unpossible tae mak it wark.”

/UP-HEL-ee-AH/

Lerwick's annual torchlit Viking festival

“Ah'll gae tae the up helly aa”

/VAAR-ee/

a turn in course or direction

“Mind the vaarie when ye pass the narrows.”

/VIM-mer/

to tremble or shiver slightly

“A'm vimmer wi da cauld.”

/VOH/

narrow sea inlet or bay

“Da's a braw voe alang the shore.”

/WAD-er/

a castrated male sheep, wether

“Yon wadder's oot on da brae.”

/WAD-enz-day/

midweek day between Tuesday and Thursday

“Aw'll see ye on wadensday.”

/WAN-REST-it/

tired from a poor night's sleep

“Ah'm fair wanrestit the day.”

/WAP/

to fling or hurl forcefully

“He wapped the stane ower the dyke.”

/WAHT/

to bet; assert with confident guess

“A wat he'll be here the morn”

/WEEL-ee-WAT/

I know this very well

“Weel i wat, the neebors aye blether.”

/WEET/

a small sip or drink

“Gie me a weet o tea.”

/WIDJ/

to fidget or squirm restlessly

“Da bairn's awfy widge noo”

/WIN-duh-fil/

remarkably good despite difficult circumstances

“Winderfil job ye did wi' nae time.”

/WIP/

Wind or bind items with cord

“Wip the roap roond the barrel.”

/WYE-ers/

knitting needles used for making garments

“A've put ma wires awa.”

/WEERZ/

our house or home

“A'll see ye at wirs the nicht.”

/WIR-selz/

Ourselves; plural reflexive pronoun

“Wirsells hae tae mend da net.”

/WAI/

A road or path; a route

“Tak da wye ta da kirk”

/YAR-tuh/

affectionate address meaning dear or darling

“Coom here, yarta.”

/YOOL/

Yule season; small Christmas celebratory drink

“Yöl's aboot an da hoose's pyntit.”

/YOO/

Shetland dialect word for ewe

“Da yowe's oot oan da brae.”

/YOWL/

give a loud prolonged howl or wail

“A yowl cam fae da dug.”