Spik

/AA-lee LAMB/

older

“Did ye see da aalie lamb oan da brae?”

/UH-KWANT/

Familiar with; having dealings with someone

“A'm no acquant wi 'im.”

/ad-MY-er/

to astonish or take by surprise

“Da whale admire me, I wis fair stunnit.”

/AYRT/

ground, soil, the land surface

“Aw'll gie the aert a turn the morn.”

/AIRT-fast/

firmly fixed into the ground

“Yon stane's aert fast i' the voe”

/AY-shins/

inner eaves at top of wall

“Thae aeshins need paint.”

/AY-stard/

Direction toward the east; eastward

“Gang aestard noo”

/AY-ster/

to veer eastward, of wind

“Da wind wull aester by morn”

/AYT/

restless excitement and eager anticipation

“She's fair aet aboot the new lambs.”

/AET-mel/

Finely ground oats for porridge

“Gie us a bowl o aetmell noo.”

/AF-bid-en/

uninviting and off-putting in appearance

“That hoose is affbidden, nae wan'll gae near't.”

/AF-lay/

ready, fluent flow of speech

“She's fu' o' afflay the day.”

/AFF-rohd/

deter someone from taking action

“Shi affroad me frae takkin the ferry.”

/uh-FRUNT/

to become ashamed or embarrassed

“Hoo affront an hid hir face”

/AF-tak/

A cutting, mocking sarcastic remark

“She gied him an afftak”

/AFT/

on many occasions; frequently

“He gangs aft tae da shop”

/AG-uhl/

to make dirty or grubby

“Dinna aggle the new frock; ye've been oot on the peat.”

/AG-muhnt/

nervous agitation and mental unease

“He's aye agment afore a meetin.”

/uh-JEE/

slightly open; not fully closed

“Da door was ajee when Ah cam hame.”

/AHK-AH-dur/

to bear hardship without complaining

“A'll akkadör it.”

/AHK-er/

broken fragments; ruined remains of something

“Da gale left nane but akker.”

/AL-uh-MOO-tee/

small storm petrel seabird skimming sea

“Yon alamootie skims alang the wake.”

/AHL-mark/

sheep that breaks out of fences

“Da almark's aye oot on da muir.”

/AHMP/

tense, watchful, awaiting trouble

“She's aye amp when the wind's up.”

/AHNS/

obey or carry out instructions

“He'll anse da skipper's ordurs.”

/AN-trin/

occurring occasionally; not regular

“He cums antrin tae da shop.”

/AN-yuh-twart/

Fickle and contrary; often about weather

“Da weather's aye anyatwart.”

/AP-er/

to delay or hold back

“Dinna apper him noo, he'll miss the ferry.”

/AP-LOH-suh/

To present or put something forward

“A'll applöse da new rota efter brekfast.”

/AR-jee BAR-jee/

noisy, petty quarrel or squabble

“Dey hed an argie bargie aboot the boat.”

/AHRL/

crawl or creep along weakly

“Da crab arl alang da strand”

/AHSK/

thin mist or light coastal fog

“An ask's hingin ower the voe.”

/uh-SOOND/

Unconscious, senseless, knocked out

“He lay asoond efter the whallop.”

/AT-FIRTS/

mischievous capers; playful, spirited antics

“Da bairns hae been atfirts aboot da hoose.”

/AT-uh-ree/

bitter and piercingly cold weather

“Da wind's atteri the day.”

/uh-TWEEN-da-BED-an-da-FIE-er/

partly incapacitated, not fully well

“She's atween da bed an da fire the noo.”

/AH-vuh/

in any way; to any extent

“A dinna ken ava o that.”

/AHZ-in/

Burning fiercely; alight and blazing

“Da hoose's azin!”

/BAA-gee/

black-backed sea-gull with dark upperparts

“Da baagie satt oan da quay.”

/BAHK/

A hen's roost or fishing rope

“The hens are oan the baak.”

/BAAK-hy/

Extremely excited and eagerly agitated

“He's baak high aboot the new boat.”

/BAHND/

tethering rope; boat rib; straw band

“Pit the baand roond the stob”

/BAK-BRAK/

utter physical and mental exhaustion

“A'm back brack efter da lang shift.”

/BAK-BRAK-in/

Gruelling, physically demanding hard work

“Ah've been back brackin a' day”

/BAK-BUR-din/

heavy load carried on the back

“A'll help ye wi' the back burden.”

/BAK-uh-BOOT/

Remote place; old-fashioned or behind times

“Da Maggie's a backaboot, keeps to her auld ways.”

/BAK-DRAH/

Convulsive gasp like whooping cough

“Da bairn gied a backdraa.”

/BAK-linz/

towards the rear; in a backward direction

“He stept backlins frae the table.”

/BAHD/

main article of everyday dress

“Pit yer bad on, it's cauld oot.”

/BAF/

a quick hit or brief tussle

“We hed a wee baff at da market”

/BAF-uhl/

a scuffle or messy confused situation

“Da lads hed a baffel by da quay”

/BAF-in/

struggling and making little headway

“Da lad's baffin wi the creels.”

/BAIRN-dum/

early years of one's life

“Ah'll aye mind ma bairndom.”

/BAYT/

tied handful of straw for thatch

“Gie the bait tae the thatcher.”

/BANKS-BROO/

top edge of a steep bank

“Mind yersel at the banks broo.”

/BANKS-GAYT/

narrow cliffside track; risky undertaking

“Dinna gae alang da banks gaet alane.”

/BANKS-GIRS/

Salt-tolerant grass on sea banks

“Da auld mither gaed te pluk banks girse alang da strand.”

/BAHR-min/

Foaming yeast; visibly furious person

“Da wort wis barmin i' the tub.”

/BAR-nee/

a loud or violent quarrel

“They hed a muckle barny aboot the croft.”

/BAHS/

large open blaze or bonfire

“We hud a bass oan da voe.”

/BAS-ul/

a clumsy, difficult struggle or tussle

“Da lads had a bassel gettin the creels up.”

/BED-ral/

person confined to bed by illness

“We gaed tae see da bedral.”

/BEE-boh/

a trivial or unimportant little thing

“Dinna fash yersel aboot the bee bo.”

/BEEST/

first milk from a cow after calving

“Gie the calf a sup o' beest.”

/BEE-tul/

to strike hard with a mallet

“Da man beetled da stone intae bits”

/BEET-lin/

a severe physical beating

“Da storm gae da hoose a beetlin.”

/BEH-GUHD/

Started; commenced; set something in motion

“Da meetin begöd in da kirk”

/buh-GRUT-en/

dampened by recent tears

“She cam in begrutten efter the meetin.”

/bi-GUNK/

a disappointing anticlimax or letdown

“It wis a begunk.”

/BEL-in/

Infected, pus-filled, festering wound or sore

“Yon wee cut's right bellin.”

/BEL-TAYN/

May Day festival marking start of summer

“We gaed ta beltane an danced roon the fyre.”

/BENG-kul/

make a hollow by striking

“Dinna benkle the tin wi the hammer”

/beh-NON/

in addition or besides; also

“We hae tatties benon the cod.”

/BEN-wark/

soreness or aching of muscles

“A'm gey benwark the day”

/BERG/

conspicuous rocky outcrop above sea or land

“We steer by da berg when da mist comes”

/BIK/

Shetland term for a female dog

“Da bick's aye rinnin roon da hoose.”

/BID-uh-bul/

Ready to follow others' directions

“Da bairn's biddable an' minds whit ye say.”

/BIG/

To build or form a nest

“A'll bigg a neew hoose by the voe.”

/BIG-in/

a house used as a home

“Ah'll bide in the biggin the nicht.”

/BING/

heap of stones or mining spoil

“Yon bing o stanes haes been there sin the war.”

/BIR-ker/

short, sharp spell of cold

“Dinna tak the boat, tis a birker.”

/BIRR/

low buzzing sound; strong excitement

“Da birr frae da wheel gaed on aal nicht”

/BIR-se/

Coarse short bristles; brief irritation

“She's in a birse aboot nowt.”

/BIR-see/

Shaggy; covered in hair or fur

“Da coo's gey birsie efter da winter.”

/BIRZ/

To squeeze or press firmly

“Birze the cloot oot noo.”

/BIT-ul/

malformed or misplaced tooth

“He haes a bittel i' da mooth”

/BIT-er-see/

very cold, raw and stormy

“It's aw bittersie oot.”

/BIZ-ee/

straw or litter used for bedding

“Put mair bizzie in the byre.”

/BIZ-ee-WAP-it/

hair tangled into tight matted clumps

“Her heid's aw bizzie wappit efter the gale.”

/BLAHND/

acidic watery liquid after churning

“Gie the pigs the blaand.”

/BLACK-uh-FRUNT-it/

deeply ashamed, intensely abashed

“Ah'm black affrontit aboot it”

/BLAY-git/

white sheep marked with dark patches

“Yon blaegit yow's aye easy tae see.”

/BLASH-ee/

damp, blustery weather with driving rain

“It's blashy oot.”

/BLASH-ee BLINKS/

brief sudden flashes of lightning

“Blashy blinks dancit ower da voe at hairst.”

/BLAYT/

shy, reserved, easily embarrassed

“Da lass is blate an' aye keeps hissel tae da side.”

/BLAT-er/

flutter or quiver repeatedly

“Da sail blatter in da gust.”

/BLED-er/

chatter senselessly for a long time

“Dinna bledder ower lang.”

/BLEN/

a light, gentle seaside breeze

“There's a blen frae the voe”

/BLET/

small patch of distinct ground

“Ther's a wee blett by the dyke.”

/BLINK-ee/

small handheld battery-powered torch

“Haud the blinkie, A cannae see.”

/BLIHN-d/

faint glimmer or short nap

“Ah'll tak a blinnd efter tea.”

/BLINND-MOO-ree/

whiteout snowstorm with zero visibility

“Bide hame, da's a blinnd moorie.”

/BLINN-duh/

mixed low-quality grains for feed

“Gie's the blinnda tae the kye.”

/BLISS-it/

Marked by white forehead stripe

“Yon blissit coo's aye easy tae spot.”

/BLOHD-FAST-in/

Not eaten anything during the day

“Blöd fastin disnae suit me”

/BLOT/

water used for a single wash

“Tak a blot fae the pail an rins the sark”

/BLOO-FINK-set/

covered in bluish mould from damp

“Da breid's blue finkset, awa wi' it.”

/BLOO-MELT/

bluish bruise from a knock

“He's gitten a blue melt oan his leg.”

/BLOO-nild/

Pale, sickly with bluish complexion

“Da bairn's lookit blue niled.”

/BLUG-uh/

marsh plant with yellow cup-shaped flowers

“There's blugga oot by da loch.”

/BLUNT-ee/

a disappointment; a dud or letdown

“Da wis a bluntie”

/BLUS-ter/

mossy turf or peat from bogs

“A'll heave the bluster intae the cart”

/BLYD-SPAWK-en/

Praise others and speak favourably

“Da auld mither aye blyde spokken o her neebors.”

/BOH-dee/

a lump or tangible mass

“Da boady lay doon by da burn.”

/BØD/

Small fishermen's hut for storing gear

“Da böd staans by da shore.”

/BOD-um/

ground beneath the sea floor

“Da tang is fast on da boddam”

/BUR-dee/

Small woven shoulder basket for carrying

“A'll tak the böddie tae market.”

/BOK-ee/

bogey or oddly dressed person

“Dae ye see da boky wi' them queer claes?”

/BUHL/

animal resting spot; also a bed

“Da coo's böl is gey warm.”

/BUL-LEE-MENTS/

assorted small personal belongings

“Da drawer's fu o bölliments.”

/BON-hoh-gah/

childhood home or native locality

“A'll gang back tae ma bonhoga.”

/BOO/

forward part or prow of boat

“Haud the boo straucht.”

/BOO-STAYN/

stone fixed in a building's foundation

“Da hoose is built oan an auld boo stane.”

/BOOS/

to bustle about with energetic effort

“He booce aboot doon the pier.”

/BOO-sin/

Lively, restless, constantly on the move

“Da bairn's aye boocin aboot da hoose.”

/BOO-uhl KRAMP/

acute intestinal cramping, severe pain

“Ah hed a sair booel cramp the nicht.”

/BOO-uhl RIV-in/

very filling, hearty, satisfying meal

“A wis fair ful efter the booel rivin.”

/BOO-fel/

To beat or batter repeatedly

“Da storm began tae boofel da windaes a' nicht”

/BOOL-ik/

small inflamed bump or pustule

“Da boolik on ma cheek is sair.”

/BOR-dlee/

Stout, solid, hardy in build

“Da bairn's grown bördly.”

/BOOR/

hole in boat gunwale for rope

“Aw'll mend da bore afore we sail.”

/BUR-ep/

rope for boat bow or buoy

“Hae ye tyed the börep tae the bouy?”

/BORR-uh-in DAYZ/

last three days of March

“Borrowin days'll gie us a bit o' sun”

/BOH-zee/

front of torso over the heart

“His bosie wis sair efter the fall.”

/BOH/

Buoy; also a large sack of meal

“Mind the bowe when ye gang past the skerry.”

/BRAHND/

smouldering piece of peat fuel

“Tak the braand oot the byre”

/BRAAND-EYE-run/

Grate for cooking over open fire

“Pit the braand iron ower the fyre.”

/BRAAN-der/

horizontal bar joining chair legs

“Da braander on da stoal's brokken.”

/BRAYSS/

shelf or ledge above fireplace

“Dinna leave yer teacup on the brace, it'll fae.”

/BRAK/

waves breaking on rocky shore

“Da brack cam reet ower da stanes.”

/BRAK-da-BREHD/

make a new path through vegetation

“She brack da bröd throo the heather”

/BRAK-on/

Loosen and break apart turf

“Ah'll brack on the peat the morn.”

/BRAK-oot/

Break up uncultivated land for planting

“A'll brack oot the faal the morn.”

/BRAHN/

fleshy back portion of lower leg

“Ma bran's sair etter daancin.”

/BREENJ/

dash or surge forward violently

“He breenge throo the hoose an' tuik the table ower.”

/BREER/

new spring shoots of a crop

“Da breer's awfy fine the noo.”

/BRET-sh/

crashing surf against rocky shore

“Da bretsh rams agin da stane.”

/BREE-der/

More than one male sibling

“Ma brieder are oot fishin.”

/BRIGG-ih-STAYNS/

stone doorstep or small paved path

“Haud yersel on the briggistanes, it's slippy.”

/BRIM-tud/

roar of waves breaking on shore

“Ah loe da brimtud.”

/BROH-g/

pointed hand tool for making holes

“Gi'e me the broag, Ah'm gaun tae mend the harness.”

/BROKH-en/

oatmeal based hot restorative drink

“A'll hae brochen noo”

/BRUHD/

opening or breach in a barrier

“Mind the bröd i the daik.”

/BROD-it/

Covered with its lid; closed pot

“Da pot's broddit on da hob.”

/BRODZ/

stiff front and back book covers

“Da brods on da auld buk are sair scartit.”

/BRUHL/

loud deep roar or shout

“The dug gied a bröl whan the boat cam in”

/BRONG-ee/

large dark coastal seabird, the cormorant

“Yon brongie sittin oan the stane at da voe.”

/BROO/

ridge or front of the head

“We gaed up da broo”

/BROOTSH/

Smash or press flat by force

“Dae nae brootsh the mussels intae bits.”

/BROW-dened/

shamelessly bold and presumptuous

“He's browdened, taks the last bit o' fish.”

/BRUK-lee/

crumbly and easily broken

“Dinna lean on that bruckly dyke.”

/BRUG/

small low mound or shoreline ledge

“Dinna staun on da brug, it's slippy.”

/BUCHT/

coiled fishing line about forty fathoms

“Gie me the bucht frae the stern.”

/BUK-uhl/

To tangle or wind up clumsily

“Da pony buckle 'roun da peg an' coudnae get oot.”

/BUG-ee/

small pouch made from sheepskin

“Tak the buggie alang when ye gang oot”

/BUKS/

plod or trudge through deep snow

“Ah buks hame throu the snaw”

/BULD-er-it/

awkward, stubborn, rash in behaviour

“Da man is bulderit an winna listen.”

/BULT/

Push forward with head or horns

“Da coo bult at me.”

/BOOL-wahnd/

Aromatic wild herb used in flavouring

“Da bulwaand smel's reet strang.”

/BUL-WAY-vuh/

roam without clear direction or purpose

“He aye bulwaaver aboot da toon.”

/BUM-mel/

to flounder or act clumsily

“He made a bummel at the meetin.”

/BUHM-er/

large heavy unwieldy person or object

“Da bummer's oot o haun tae lift”

/BUNG-gul/

large lump of earth or turf

“Hae a keek at the bungle.”

/BUR-ruh/

Small tufted rush plant clump

“Yon wee burra bides oan the muir.”

/BUR-sen/

burst open; broken and split

“Da balloon's bursin.”

/BUR-sten-BRUN-ee/

nickname for someone from Sandness

“Da bursten brönnie aye brings da best tatties.”

/BUSK/

Tuft forming the beard of a fly

“He tyed a wee busk oan the flay.”

/BYEL-sit/

White wool 'collar' around neck

“Da byelsit yow stans oot fae da flock.”

/BYOK/

gagging or retching; involuntary heave

“Da stench maks me byock.”

/CAWLD-REEF/

Bitingly cold; frosty social mood

“Da caald rife at da meetin made me gan hame”

/KAAV/

snow swept by wind; eat greedily

“He caav the fish afore us aw”

/KAA-vee/

severe snowstorm with drifting snow

“There's a caavie comin the nicht”

/KAB-ee LAB-ee/

noisy jumble of overlapping voices

“Da hoose was fu' o' cabbi labbi.”

/KAD-uhl/

coloured thread used to mark sheep

“Hae ye put the caddel on the new lamb?”

/CAD-juh/

person who habitually asks for alms

“Da cadger's aye at da kirk door.”

/KAYRD/

hand tool for combing wool fibres

“Mi mither aye keeps the caerd clean.”

/KAF/

dry flaky husks from threshed grain

“Da farmer piled the caff by the midden.”

/KAM-uh-da-KYND/

to be of that sort

“Da lad's cam o da kind.”

/KAM-shus/

Prone to being contrary and critical

“Da lass is aye camshious at the table.”

/KANG-gul/

To argue or bicker with someone

“Maggie an Jock cangle ower da fish”

/KANT/

a person's general mood or spirits

“He's in a reet cant the noo.”

/KANT-ee/

cheerful, lively, in good spirits

“Da auld man sat canty by da fire.”

/KAP-ee/

small wooden bowl or fishing sinker

“Gie's the cappie, I'm gaun oot tae cast.”

/KAS-en/

slightly spoiled, beginning to go off

“Da fish is a wee cassen, dinna eat it.”

/KAT-ayt/

Lively fuss or excited commotion

“Dinnae mak sic a cat aet.”

/KAT-WAH/

low partial interior dividing wall

“Pit da kettle on da cat waa.”

/kat-MOH-git/

Sheep paler above, darker on belly

“Da catmoagit stans oot amang t'ither ewes.”

/KAT-ik-loo/

raucous, unruly, boisterous crowd

“Yon catticloo's makin' sic a skirl.”

/KAW-shun/

amusing, eccentric, droll local character

“Yon caution aye maks a'body lauch wi his daft ways.”

/KLAAG/

sharp clucking of a hen

“Da hen startit tae claag when Ah cam hame.”

/KLAKH-ter/

group of eggs laid at once

“Da hen laid a clachter at da back o' da byre.”

/KLAIR/

Ready or set up for use

“Da boat is clair tae gae.”

/KLAP/

Briefly close or rest the eyes

“Ah'll clap ma een on yon boat.”

/KLATCH/

Sticky lump; also clumsy person

“There's a clatch oan da pan.”

/KLEEK/

curved hook for catching or pulling

“Gi'e me the cleek an I'll tak the lobster oot”

/KLEG-see/

Large blood-sucking fly that bites horses

“Yon clegsie aye stangs the mare”

/KLERT/

smear or soil with sticky substance

“Dinna clert yer boots wi mud.”

/KLES-tuh/

smear with sticky or greasy substance

“Dae nae clester the table wi yer hauns”

/KLOO/

Wound ball of yarn for knitting

“Haud the clew, the cat's playin' wi't.”

/KLINK/

bend over nail end to secure

“Gie me the hammer an A'll clink that nail.”

/KLEEP/

a tattler or informer

“Yon clipe's nae welcome here”

/KLIHV-GENG/

Clatter of hooves; orderly procession

“Aa seen da clivgeng doon by da pier”

/KLOK/

small hard-shelled beetle insect

“Thar's a wee clock in da jam jar”

/KLOK-in/

Inclined to sit and hatch eggs

“Da hen's clockin an winna leave”

/KLOKS MID-der/

mother hen with her brood

“Da clocks midder is mindin her wee brood.”

/KLOO-kee/

Sly, prone to cunning and deceit

“Da's a clooky yin, mind yersel.”

/KLOOT/

Sheet of fabric, often a sail

“We'll gie da cloot a guid mend afore we gang oot.”

/KLOO-ter/

noisy, clumsy heavy footed tread

“She cam intil da hoose wi a clooter”

/KLOH/

brusque order to be quiet

“He gied a clowe.”

/KLUMPZ/

stun or overwhelm into speechlessness

“That clumpse me clean awa.”

/KLUH-shit/

Very awkward and prone to stumbling

“He's clushit, aways stumblin aboot.”

/KAWRN/

a tiny portion or small amount

“Gie me a coarn.”

/KOK-ee/

to empty one's bowels; defecate

“Da dug went oot tae cockie.”

/KOK-eez/

informal plural term for faeces

“Dinna trample da cockies, bairn.”

/KOHFT/

bought; obtained by payment

“A've coft a wee loaf frae the bake-hoose.”

/KOOL/

To make or become cool

“Lat da tea cöl a wee”

/KOHL/

compact mound of drying cut hay

“Aa'll tak the cole hame.”

/KOL/

glowing ember or coal fragment

“Dinna throw da coll awa, it micht licht da heather.”

/KOL-SLOK/

completely extinguished or out

“Da fire is coll slock noo.”

/KOL-ee/

Pamper or dote to soothe

“Mither cöllied the wee bairn an it soon stopped greetin.”

/KOOS/

Heap or mound of things

“Ther's a coose o kelp on the strand”

/KOOTCH/

coat fishing nets with tar or oil

“Ah'll cootch da net the morn”

/KOR-bee/

raven; guttural rolled r sound

“Da corbie's sittin on the dyke”

/KORP/

dead human body; a corpse

“They brung the corp hame yestreen”

/KOHZ/

swap goods or services without money

“Ah'll cose ma tatties for his herrin.”

/KOSH/

friendly and warmly welcoming in manner

“She's gey cosh tae visitors.”

/KUT/

Ankle; also figurative for brooding

“Mind yer cöt on da stane.”

/KUT-ti-ken/

short sock reaching to the ankle

“Dinna forget yer cöttiken.”

/KOTS/

Traditional women's petticoats or skirts

“Shi hed her cotts on.”

/KOOP/

To tip over; boat overturning

“Mind da tide, or da boat wull coup.”

/KRAH-HEED/

Chimney head projecting above roof

“Da craahead's spittin oot verra black soot.”

/KRAA-tuh/

small yellow buttercup-like wildflower

“I seen a wee craatae doon by the burn”

/KRAKT-less/

lacking strength or power

“He wis crachtless efter da fever.”

/KRACK-er/

Person from Bressay in Shetland

“Yon cracker's aye ready for a blether.”

/KRAYGS/

rocky coastal ledges used for fishing

“A wis oot at the craigs yestreen.”

/KRAYG-stayn/

large projecting rock or crag

“A'll meet ye by the craigstane.”

/KRAM/

Scratch or rake with claws

“Da puss aye cram oan da door.”

/KRAMP-er/

quirky, amusing or eccentric local person

“He's a richt cramper, ken.”

/KREEK-sit/

Physically weak; in poor health

“Da auld man canna mak da brae, he's creeksit.”

/KREE-pee/

low three-legged wooden stool

“Pit the creepie by the ingle.”

/KREESH/

Greasy fatty substance used for cooking

“Pit the creesh oan the pan”

/KREE-shee/

Oily and slippery; covered in fat

“Mind ye, da pier's creeshy.”

/KREKS/

harsh throat clearing cough sound

“He gied a crex an spat.”

/KRIM/

short cough to show disapproval

“She gied a wee crim at him.”

/KRIMP/

Tight-fitting or small in size

“Da tee's crimp oan me.”

/KROH/

small enclosed cupboard-like storage nook

“Gie me the candles frae the cro”

/KRUH/

Stone built pen for sheltering sheep

“Shut the ewes intae the crö.”

/KROEL/

rounded hump on a back

“Da pony hev a wee cröl.”

/KROOG/

squat down close to the ground

“She croog doon by the dyke.”

/KRUB-it/

kept in a small cramped space

“Da bairn's aw crubbit i' that sma room.”

/KRUG/

crouch down for shelter from weather

“They crug agin the dyke.”

/KRUG-set/

Drive animals into a confined spot

“Ah'll crugset the lamb intae the pen.”

/KRUMP/

crunching underfoot on ice or snow

“I heerd a crump unner ma shuin.”

/KRUT-ul/

soft throaty bubbling gurgle

“Da kettle mek a wee cruttle.”

/KRAI-REK/

Close enough to be heard

“I shoutit frae da shore an Fergie wis cry reck on da pier”

/KUD-ee/

small cabin or sheltered nook

“He sat i' the cuddy wi a wee lamp.”

/KUG-uhl/

to make sway or wobble

“Dinnae cuggle the cradle, the bairn's near asleep.”

/KUG-lee/

Unsteady on one's feet; slightly tipsy

“He cam hame cuggly.”

/KUM-mel/

Turn something upside down

“Dinna cummel the boat, ye'll tak in watter.”

/KURN/

small tart berry used for preserves

“Ah'll mak curn jam the morn.”

/KURN-LOF/

Sweet yeast loaf with dried fruit

“Tak a slice o curn loff, it's gey braw.”

/KUR-nee PUD-in/

Shetland steamed pudding with currants

“We'll hae curny puddin efter tea.”

/KUR-ee-RAHG/

Someone's business or social dealings

“Dinna meddle wi the curry raag o' the neebors.”

/KUS-ee/

affectionate name for a small cow

“Ah'll aye keep the cussie wi' me.”

/KUT-uh-noy/

noisy commotion; fuss or disturbance

“Gae see the cuttanoy at da harbour.”

/KUT-ee/

short stubby clay tobacco pipe

“Gie me ma cutty”

/DAA-NET-ul/

low-growing wildflower related to nettles

“Da bairns made a posie o' daa nettle.”

/DAA-khen/

wind or storm gradually slackening

“Daachen's comin noo, we kin gae oot.”

/DAHL/

low hollow or valley between hills

“A'll meet ye in the daal.”

/DAA-mish/

tire someone with constant chatter

“Dinna daamish me wi yer blether.”

/DAHD/

solid lump or heavy blunt blow

“He gied it a guid dad.”

/DAD-er-ee/

tedious, monotonous menial tasks

“Am fair sick o' the daddery.”

/DAD-it/

Extremely tired from hard physical work

“Aw'm daddit efter a lang day o wark.”

/DAYK-end/

seaward end of a stone dyke

“A'll meet ye at the daek end.”

/DAYL/

loose plank or movable floorboard

“Dinna step on the dael, it's rickit.”

/DAYV/

to deafen with loud noise

“Dinna keep the telly sae loud, ye'll daev me.”

/DAN-uh-DAYZ/

in former times; back then

“Dan a days, folk kent the tides.”

/DAR-ken-in/

dimming time at dusk

“A'll be hame at darkenin.”

/DAHRT/

stamp one's foot in anger

“Da lass gied a dart wi her fit.”

/deh-BAYT-liss/

completely worn out and weak

“A'm debaetless efter da lang dae.”

/DEER/

to strongly affect or impress someone

“That'll deer me sair.”

/DEL/

To root about; search by digging

“A'll dell i' da peat.”

/DEL-in/

small plot set aside for crops

“A'll lat ye hae the dellin for yer tatties.”

/DEH-MAH-LOOR-ee/

dull and dreary in appearance

“Da toon felt gey demaloorie efter the mist.”

/DEM-layn/

on their own, without assistance

“Da mendit the net demlane.”

/DEM-mel/

to splash or fill with water

“Da boat demmel i da swell”

/DEM-selz/

plural reflexive pronoun meaning themselves

“Demsels ken whit tae dae.”

/DEN-kee/

small shallow hollow in the ground

“Dinna fa' intae the denkie.”

/DEER-EE-shun/

Person regarded as a fool

“Yon dereeshion's da talk o da toon.”

/DESS/

Heap of hay in the field

“Yon dess's gey heich this year.”

/DYEB/

dip briefly; toil or work hard

“Dibe, lad, dibe, we've nae time.”

/DIL/

To lessen in force or intensity

“Da wind'll dill e'en noo”

/DIL-bels/

matted wool clumps on sheep hindquarters

“A'll clip the dill bells aff the ewes the morn.”

/DIM-riv/

first light before the sunrise

“A keekit at da dimriv ower da voe.”

/DINK/

Dress or smartly clothe someone

“She'll dink the lass up braw for the kirk.”

/DIP-uhl/

Plant potato sets using a dibble

“Aw'll dipple the tatties the morn.”

/DIRL/

sudden sharp jolt or rush

“Da boat gied us a wee dirl.”

/DIS-JAS-kit/

completely exhausted, drained of energy

“A'm fair disjaskit efter da lang day o' wark.”

/dis-TRESS/

very severe storm at sea

“Dinnae gae oot, there's a richt bad distress on da voe.”

/DIV-ish/

Tidy up or neatly prepare items

“A'll divvish the table afore the fowk come”

/DAWG-it/

harried by persistent annoyance or pressure

“Ah'm doggit wi the hoosework an' the wee bairn.”

/DOYT/

to feel bewildered and mentally muddled

“A'm fair doit efter da blaw.”

/DURL/

deep sorrow or intense mourning

“Shi sat wi döl i her hert”

/DOON-uh-PON-it/

feeling low and dejected

“He's been doon apon it sin yestreen.”

/DOON-kum/

a fall in luck or spirits

“He thocht he'd get the job, but it wis a dooncome.”

/DOON-DRAP-in/

Collapsed, falling apart; ruined condition

“Da auld hoose is doondrappin.”

/DOON-tak/

an occasion causing shame and disgrace

“Awbody kent it wis a doontak ta her.”

/DOON-tum/

sudden heavy rain; torrential shower

“We hid in the hoose till the doontöm passit.”

/DOORK/

short pleasurable outing or little trip

“Aw'm gaen on a wee doork.”

/DOOS/

sharp snatching kick with foot

“He gied a doose at it.”

/DOOT/

suspect with apprehension or unease

“A'm doot it's gaun tae blaw the nicht”

/DURK-uh-bul/

tolerably good weather for outdoor work

“It's dörkable enow tae wark the croft.”

/DORT/

small lump or clump of matter

“Mind the dort oan the floor”

/DORTS/

a bout of sulking or gloom

“Da lass's in the dorts efter the bairn taen her dolly”

/DOR-tee/

sullen and ill-tempered, silently sulking

“She's been dorty aw day.”

/DOHV-en/

to numb or deaden sensation

“Da cauld hes doven ma han.”

/DOH-vur/

to nod off briefly

“Ah had a wee dover i da chair”

/DRAH/

shore spot for hauling boats

“Tak the boat tae the draa”

/DRAAKHT/

It could also be about feeling dry

“A've bin deein the draacht a' day.”

/DRAYG/

heavy rake for dredging mussels

“A'm gaen doun tae the voe wi the draig.”

/DRANG/

Fasten securely by making a knot

“A'll drang the roap roon the stob.”

/DRAYV/

past tense of drive; guided or operated

“Ah drave the boat tae the voe.”

/DREEL/

forcefully expel or drive away

“He dreelt the gulls aff the pier.”

/DREEP/

fall slowly in small drops

“Da tap aye dreep i da sink.”

/DRINT-uld/

mottled or speckled in appearance

“Yon sow's aw drintled.”

/DRIT-uhl/

move slowly and wander aimlessly

“Dae ye see him drittle aboot the pier?”

/DROKHT/

strong dry wind; drying weather

“The drocht'll dree the claes fine”

/DROOK/

to drench; make thoroughly wet

“We got drook on da way hame.”

/DROO-kin/

a thorough drenching from rain

“He cam hame drookin.”

/DROOK-ul/

to drip or dribble slowly

“Da tap drookle a wee.”

/DROOTH/

habitual drunkard; frequent heavy drinker

“Da drooth's oot by da pier again.”

/DRUHSH/

light drizzle or small loose fragments

“Dinnae lea drush aboot the pier.”

/DUB/

small muddy pool or bog

“Mind the dub ower by the gate.”

/DUD-erd/

worn and tatty in appearance

“Da auld hoose's fair duddered.”

/DUF/

soft spongy mossy peat bedding

“Gie the duff tae the kye for the nicht.”

/DUL-skit/

Slow and lethargic in manner

“He's gey dulskit the day.”

/DUM-bah/

fine floating chaff-like dust in air

“Thar's dumba hingin aboot.”

/DUM-bit/

Worn looking, ragged and neglected

“Da auld boat's gotten richt dumbit.”

/DUHN-der/

to roar or rumble like thunder

“Da storm dunder alang da coast.”

/DUN-jən/

Very knowledgeable, well-informed person

“She's a richt dungeon aboot croftin'.”

/DUNT/

Hard, forceful strike or knock

“He hed a reet dunt oan his heid”

/DUN-ter/

Shetland name for the eider duck

“Yon dunter's sittin' on da strand.”

/DUHS/

Lower or reduce a sail's set

“Duss the sail noo, the wind's shiftin'.”

/DWAHM/

brief fainting spell; foolish person

“He fell intae a dwaam efter he cloutit his heid”

/DWANG/

short horizontal brace between upright posts

“Set the dwang weel an' the partition'll bide stiddy.”

/DYE-kal/

shipboard magnetic compass for navigation

“A'll steer by the dycal.”

/DEE-sel/

reflexive pronoun meaning you

“Tak care o' dysel.”

/EBB/

seabed exposed at low tide

“We gaed oot on the ebb.”

/EBB-SLEEP-er/

Shetland name for a small sandpiper

“Yon ebb sleeper's aye pickin at the strand”

/EE-BREER/

one eyelash, single eyelid hair

“Da's an ee breer oan yer ee.”

/EE-warm/

a hair on the eyelid edge

“Tak the ee wharm oot o' ma e'e.”

/EEL-TOH/

cord set in shallow inshore water

“Ah set the eel towe at the mou o the voe.”

/EEL-uh/

rod-and-line fishing for piltocks

“A'm takin da eela oot the morn.”

/EEM-ij/

a frail, run-down person

“He's a richt eemage the noo.”

/EENS/

once; formerly; on one occasion

“I eence saw twa seals oot in the voe”

/EER-AS-ter/

domineering and oppressive bully

“He's an awfy eeraster”

/EE-vur/

An exceptionally large physical object

“Awbody's keekit at da eever by da pier.”

/EHFT/

towards the stern of a boat

“Haud her eft, John, gie us room.”

/EF-ter-klaps/

consequence following an earlier event

“Ef ye dae that, efterklaps kin be sair.”

/EYE-dent/

Habitually industrious and diligent

“She's eident at her wark.”

/EL-buk/

joint where the arm bends

“Ma elbuck's gey sair.”

/ELT/

To soil or handle roughly

“Dinna elt the wee calf, gie it peace.”

/EM-mer-GURS/

large diving seabird, the loon

“Emmer gös dyks deeip intae da voe.”

/EM-ers/

glowing coals in a dying fire

“We sat roon the emmers an telt tales.”

/EM-skit/

bluish grey slightly slate coloured

“Da sea is aw emskit”

/EHND/

short waxed thread for shoemaking

“Gie me the end, a'll mend the shoon.”

/ENGK/

young animal kept for a child

“Da enk gangs efter da bairn ilka day”

/EH-reh-da-STREEN/

the night before last

“Ah hed a dreem eredastreen.”

/AIR-uhndz/

Stored food and household supplies for use

“We hae plenty errands i' the kist.”

/ESS/

An ash tree or its wood

“Da ess stans at da kirkyaird.”

/ESS-ih-kert/

cart for collecting household rubbish

“Da essikert hes a dint on its side.”

/ET-er-skab/

spiteful, annoying, mean-spirited troublemaker

“Dinna trust da etterscab, he'll aye be teasin folk.”

/FAH-der/

Shetland word for God the Father

“We pray tae faader each nicht”

/FAHSS/

Not genuine; false or deceptive

“He's a faase fella.”

/FAAS-FAYS/

face covering for disguise or costume

“She tuk on her faase face.”

/FAHT/

physical harm or loss inflicted

“Da boat's got faat efter da storm.”

/FAD-muhl/

very overweight, bulky woman

“Da fadmal sat daan by da fire.”

/FAYL/

block of turf held by roots

“Gie us a fael for the fire.”

/FAIR-dee MAYT/

Packed provisions for travelling

“Tak yer faerdie maet alang.”

/FAYN-lee/

Pleasant, attractive in manner or look

“Yon wee hoose is fainly.”

/FAIR-lee/

remarkable surprising occurrence; a wonder

“Da's a fairlie!”

/FAIRN-TIK-ul/

Small brownish spot on the skin

“Da bairn haes a fairntickle oan her cheek.”

/FAYZ/

To loosen and separate rope strands

“Faize the line afore ye stow it.”

/FAK-sin/

Foamy white crests on rough sea

“Da faksin breeks ower da shore.”

/FAMZ/

unnecessary fuss or overblown ado

“Dinna mak sic a fams ower naething.”

/FAN/

Heap of snow formed by the wind

“Da fann's blawn agen da hoose.”

/FAHNT/

to feel extremely hungry, near starving

“A'm fair fant, gie me somethin tae eat”

/FAHR/

small local fishing skiff

“A'll tak the far oot the morn.”

/FAS-tin HERT/

not eaten anything this morning

“Gie's a bite, A'm fastin hert.”

/FEKHT/

to fight or struggle violently

“He'll fecht noo.”

/FEE-kee/

Fussy about trivial, minor details

“Da bairn's feeky wi her duds.”

/FEE-spin/

frail looking but quick moving person

“Da feespin's aye oot an' aboot, tho she's but a wee thing.”

/FEE-tiks/

small fringe hairs over the eyes

“Ye've got feetiks i' yer een.”

/FEE-vil/

brief, light fall of snow

“Da feevil wis awa afore ye kent.”

/FEFT/

already promised or reserved for someone

“Ah've feft the seat fer Da.”

/FEL/

knock down or render unconscious

“He gied 'im a sair smack an fell 'im”

/FEN-dee/

Seaworthy in rough, wavy conditions

“Da boat's fendy, she'll haud i' a rough sea.”

/FETCH/

take a sudden laboured breath

“He stuid an' did fetch efter da brae.”

/FETH/

Trust, especially religious belief

“Ah hae feth i' him.”

/FEER-dee/

fit for use and seaworthy

“Da boat is fierdy noo.”

/FIL/

move backwards and forwards repeatedly

“Da cradle aye fill when da bairn slept”

/FIL-skuh/

playful, impulsive, high-spirited behaviour

“Yon bairn's gey filska.”

/FIL-skit/

Lively, playful; exhibiting frolicsome behaviour

“Da bairn's aw filsket aboot da croft.”

/FIM/

thin layer or light dusting

“Thair's a fim o snaw on da brae”

/FIR-BYE/

besides, moreover, in addition

“He's nae comin, firbye he's sair ill.”

/FIR-nuhnst/

on the other side of

“Da croft bides firnenst da burn.”

/FURST-FIT/

initial entrant into a home on New Year

“Da first fit's aye welcome efter midnicht.”

/FIR-yat/

failed to remember; did not recall

“A firyat tae brung the tatties.”

/FISH-ee-FLEE/

metallic blue blowfly, a bluebottle

“Da fishy flee's buzzin aboot da table.”

/FIS-mul/

a very small amount or portion

“Gie us a fismal o' tatties.”

/FIT-STRAMP/

a single step of the foot

“He gied a fit stramp intae the hoose.”

/FITCH/

to fidget or move uneasily

“Dinnae fitch, sit ye daan.”

/FIT-luhs/

prone to trip or lose balance

“Da auld man gaed fitless on da stanes”

/FIT-ee/

short sock covering only the foot

“A put a fitty intae ma shoe”

/FLAH/

sod of heather or peat turf

“Pit a flaa oan the roof.”

/FLAHKT/

sudden brief burst of light

“Da flaacht lichtit up da voe.”

/FLAHK-ter/

to flap wings in quick motions

“See hoo da gull flaachter her wings.”

/FLAHKH-ter SPAYD/

sharp spade for slicing peat turf

“Gie me da flaachter spade fae the stack.”

/FLAHG/

Flutter or flap about untidily

“Her shawl wis flaag aboot.”

/FLAK-ee/

straw mat used for winnowing

“Set the flakki oot an let it dree.”

/FLAHN/

brief sudden gust or squall

“Mind yersel, a wee flan jist cam ower.”

/FLAN-ee/

sudden gusts and brief heavy showers

“Tak yer coat, it's flanny oot.”

/FLATSH/

press down to make flat

“A'm gaun tae flatsh the bannocks.”

/FLEK-it/

spotted with large dark blotches

“Yon fleckit coo's gey bonnie.”

/FLEK-ee/

Affectionate name for speckled cow

“Ma flecky bides i' the byre.”

/FLEE/

artificial fishing lure shaped like an insect

“Gie me the flee, Ah'll dae a cast.”

/FLEET/

Boat's collection of fishing nets

“A'm gaen tae mend the fleet.”

/FLEE-ter/

flat wooden skimmer for removing scum

“Gi'e me the fleeter, there's a film on the broo.”

/FLEHNK/

Playful teasing to show romantic interest

“He's aye flenk wi' her.”

/FLYTE/

to scold or rebuke someone

“Dinna flite him noo.”

/FLOH-mee/

Flattened spread out mass; sudden torrent

“He gied a floamie o words an' left.”

/FLOSS/

grass-like wetland plant; common rush

“Da marsh's aw fu o' floss.”

/FLOO-krah/

to fall in large soft flakes

“Da snaw's startit tae flukra noo.”

/FOH-lee/

playful harmless prank done in good spirits

“It wis jist a foally an awbody laffit.”

/FOOL/

a bird; a domestic fowl

“Da fool's oot on da croft.”

/FOOTH/

a very large number or amount

“We hae a footh o herrins at da quay”

/FOR-OW-ruh/

headfirst, with head foremost

“She fell fore owre intae da watter.”

/FOR-geng/

A forewarning of something unpleasant

“Ah gat a foregeng afore the storm.”

/FOR-syd/

Front part; time just before event

“The bairns sat on the foreside o the pier an watched the boats come in”

/FOR-FOKH-en/

completely exhausted and worn out

“Ah'm fair forfochen.”

/FOR-oh/

cow kept in milk over a year

“Da forro aye gies milk.”

/FORS-moh/

deliberate insulting or offensive remark

“He gied me a forsmo.”

/FOH-shin/

the essential substance or driving force

“Da föshin o da tale set folk thinkin'.”

/FOH-shin-less/

Dry, flavourless and shrivelled

“A'm no fain o' that föshinless kail.”

/FOY/

festive meal celebrating end of season

“Aw's gaein t' the foy the neet.”

/FRAHKT/

a load or cargo carried

“Da boat hed a fracht o fish.”

/FREK-sit/

easily irritated, sulky and complaining

“Da freksit auntie startit owae o' nowt.”

/FRIMZ/

petulant pout or brief sulky look

“She gied a frimse an' keekit aff.”

/FROO-gul/

generous in amount; ample, plentiful

“Hoo made the frock frugal, nae skimpin' on cloots.”

/FRUsh/

Short, sharp sprays of saliva

“Da puss'll frush if ye fash her”

/FURR/

narrow trench made by a plough

“Aa'll nae step in da furr.”

/FYARM/

insincere flattery for personal gain

“He's aye fyaarm tae the laird.”

/FEE-AN-uh/

small informal celebration for an occasion

“We'll hae a fyanna the nicht”

/FYUNK/

a strong, unpleasant lingering smell

“Uff, that fyunk!”

/GAH-BUR-sen/

Become breathless from hard exertion

“Ah'm gaa bursen efter rinnin doon the brae.”

/GAAZ/

force someone to act against will

“Nae try tae gaase me”

/GAHT/

castrated male pig; Weisdale nickname

“Yon gaat aye helps wi da boat.”

/GABZ/

brief violent gusts or squalls

“Gabs cam in an' fair skelpit the windaes.”

/GAD-uh-ree/

Informal gathering; small group or crowd

“We gaed til a wee gadderie yestreen.”

/GADJ/

short exclamation showing disgust or revulsion

“Gadge!”

/GAYP-shot/

lower jaw protruding beyond upper jaw

“Da bairn's gaepshot, but he's a bonny wee yin.”

/GAYZ-lin/

young domestic goose, juvenile bird

“A'll tak the gaeslin ben.”

/GAY-vuh-loss/

Awkward, weak, uncoordinated movement

“Da bairn gaevalos aboot da hoose.”

/GAY-vil/

end wall forming a roof gable

“Da gaevil needs patchin afore winter”

/GAHF/

a loud, hearty burst of laughter

“He hed a gaff at that.”

/GAL-der/

a loud, boisterous burst of laughter

“He gied a muckle galder efter the crack.”

/GAL-duh-ree/

large farm building for livestock

“Da moonlicht lookit bonnie on the galdery last nicht.”

/GAN-seld/

completely fed up; intensely annoyed

“A'm ganselled o' the hale thing”

/GAR-run/

small sturdy working horse or pony

“Yon garron daes braw wark at the croft.”

/GAV-uhl/

triangular end wall beneath pitched roof

“Yon gavel needs new slates afore winter.”

/GEEL/

small wavelet on water surface

“Yon geel rinns alang the voe.”

/JEN-er/

adult male goose, a gander

“Da genner's gaen doon tae da voe.”

/GIRD/

circular hoop originally from barrel band

“Yon bairn's playin wi a gird oan da strand”

/GIR-nal/

granary or grain storehouse

“Ah'll gang tae the girnal wi the cairt.”

/GUR-nee/

peevish and sulky, easily upset

“Da wee bairn's gey girny the day”

/GIRS/

green turf or pasture vegetation

“We'll tak da kye tae da girse.”

/GIR-see/

Covered in grass; grassy or turf-covered

“Da brae's aw girsy.”

/GIZ-en/

Wood drying, shrinking and becoming porous

“Da boat's a' gizzen efter twa summers oan da beach.”

/GLAHR/

Sticky, muddy, sludgy untidy mess

“Mind yer step, da path's glaar.”

/GLAF-tuh-rit/

Rowdily cheerful and noisily exuberant

“Da bairns wur glafterit efter da fair.”

/GLAY-kit/

foolish, irresponsible, lacking common sense

“A'll nae gie him the keys, he's glaiket.”

/GLAN-sin/

brightly shining, glossy, sparkling appearance

“Da skiff is glansin i da sun”

/GLEERZ/

sudden loud bursts of laughter

“She telt a daft tale an the hoose was fu o' gleers”

/GLEG-ness/

sharpness of mind and perception

“Da lad haes glegness aboot him.”

/GLAIR-lit/

Glassy, glossy surface or glassy expression

“He stuid thar glerlit, nae sayin a wurd”

/GLIM/

brief faint flash of light

“Thare wis a glim o licht i' the nicht.”

/GLIN-der/

to squint or peer with narrowed eyes

“She began tae glinder throo the mirk.”

/GLINK/

shine briefly; small sudden flash

“The sun gied a glink ower the voe.”

/GLISK/

a brief, fleeting glance or sight

“Ah hed a glisk o a seal in the voe”

/GLOOR/

dim twilight glow at dusk

“Da gloor is hingin ower da voe.”

/GLOW-er-it/

Glaringly vivid; gaudily coloured

“Da sky's gey glowerit the nicht.”

/GLUFF/

Sudden fright; field scarecrow effigy

“Da gluff stuid at the rig wi an auld hat.”

/GLUMS/

short blunt rude retort

“She gied him a glumse an turnt awa”

/GLUNSH/

To gulp food down eagerly

“He glunsh his suppa an' awa he gaed.”

/GLAI/

cast a sidelong squinting glance

“Dinna gly, lass.”

/GLYD/

Eyes misaligned; squinting or turned aside

“Da bairn is glyed in yin ee”

/GUD KLAYZ/

Finest garments for special occasions

“A'll put on ma göd claes tae gang tae kirk.”

/GURDZ-MAK/

A living being made by God

“Yon göd's mak hes a bonny smyl.”

/GOD-uh-blee/

Done easily with little effort

“He learnt the sang gödably”

/GUHD-less/

used before adjectives to intensify

“It's gödless cauld.”

/GOH-gar/

very large specimen or person

“Yon boat's a richt gogar.”

/GOG-ee/

small parasitic insect on hair

“Da bairn's heid haes a wee gogie.”

/GUL-BROOL/

deep, booming roar or bellow

“Da coo gied a gölbröl an aw da bairns hid”

/GOM-uh-ril/

a foolish or simple-minded person

“He's a gomeril, aye.”

/GOOM/

sticky resinous substance; natural adhesive

“Da's goom oan the table.”

/GOO-sel/

short blustery gusting breeze

“Hae ye felt that goosel?”

/GORST-ee/

narrow uncultivated ridge between fields

“Mind ye dinna pit muck oan the gorstie.”

/GOWL/

utter loud, prolonged cries

“Da bairn gowlit a' nicht.”

/GOW-ster/

Speak loudly and pompously

“Da gowster aye telt folk whit tae dae.”

/GOWS-TER-it/

loud, pushy, boastful, domineering person

“Da's a gowsterit, aye.”

/GOZ-ren/

bird's muscular grinding stomach

“Da hen haes a sair gözren.”

/GRAHV/

soft slimy sediment on seabed

“Da graav stuks tae da keel.”

/GRAYM/

to grumble; express dissatisfaction or complaint

“Da auld man graim when da ferry's late.”

/GRAYN/

a very small amount

“Gie it a grain o salt.”

/GREEK/

first light of the morning

“A'll be oot by the greek”

/GREE-mit/

greyish, sootied or streaked face

“He cam hame wi' a greemit feace.”

/GREEST/

a short period or little while

“Bide a greest, A'll be back”

/GREET/

to cry or sob loudly

“Da auld man sat greetin' by the quay.”

/GREET-ee GOWL-ee/

pejorative term for a crying child

“Da bairn's aye a greetie gowlie.”

/GRAYN/

urgent craving or strong hunger

“A'm grein efter a plate o fish.”

/GRETH/

bodily liquid waste expelled as urine

“Dinna lea' greth oan the floor.”

/GRETH-ee KLOOTS/

cloth bibs or napkins for babies

“Gie's da grethy cloots, da bairn's awfy muckit.”

/GRISS/

young swine; small farm piglet

“Da grice's a bonny wee yin.”

/GRIS-IN-gan/

small coastal blue blooming spring flower

“Ah saw grice ingan bei da stane dyke”

/GRAWF/

Coarse, rough in texture or voice

“She spak wi a groff voas.”

/GRAW-flins/

on hands and knees; on all fours

“Da wean lay gröflins on da floo”

/GROYNT/

to make a low guttural sound

“Da auld man groint an sat doun”

/GROP/

to rain in misty fine drops

“Da's grop nou.”

/GROT-ee BUK-ee/

small glossy cowrie sea shell

“Ah fand a wee grottie buckie on da strand.”

/GROO-lee BAG/

Nickname for someone from Whiteness

“Yon gruelly bag aye kens us aw.”

/GRUM-lee/

water cloudy from silt or particles

“Da voe's grumlie efter da spate o' rain.”

/GRUM-uhl/

make water cloudy by stirring

“Dinna grummel the voe wi yer oars”

/GRUNDZ/

Coarse sediment at water bottom

“Dinna leave grunds in da bukkit.”

/GUB/

bubbly surface layer on liquid

“Da gub cam in wi da tide.”

/GUHF/

brief unpleasant puff or whiff

“A guff o smoke cam in fae da fire.”

/GUG-uhl/

to smear with filth or grease

“Dinna guggle yer hans wi grease.”

/GUYD-ship/

manner in which someone is treated

“Yon man's guideship tae the bairns is braw”

/GUYZE/

Dress in disguise for festival

“Ah'm gaun tae guize the neet”

/GEE-zer-YARL/

chief leader of Up-Helly-Aa guizers

“Da guizer jarl telt us tae folla.”

/GUL-brol/

to give a loud, prolonged roar

“He gied a gulbröl.”

/GUL-sah/

Yellowing of skin and the eyes

“Da bairn haes gulsa, sae we maun tak 'im tae da doctur.”

/GUN-ee/

small parasitic insect on mammals and birds

“Da hen haes a gunnie.”

/GUR-BLOT-it/

Poorly laundered, stained clothes

“Dinna pit oan da gurblottit sark.”

/GURM/

to soil oneself doing messy work

“Ah'll no gurm ma claes.”

/GUR-mull-it/

soot-stained face grubby and dirty

“Da lad cam hame aw gurmullit frae the chimley.”

/GURR/

crusty, sticky discharge in eye corners

“Wash yon gurr oot o yer een.”

/GEE-oh/

narrow steep-sided rocky sea inlet

“Dinna gaen near the gyo”

/GYOH-lah/

thin slightly sour buttermilk from churning

“Gie's a wee sup o gyola.”

/GYOP-um/

handful scooped up with both hands

“Gie me a gyoppm wrack.”

/GYURD/

a gift given willingly to someone

“Ah hid da gyurd in ma kist.”

/HAH/

main house or laird's manor

“He's awa at da haa”

/HAAF-man/

offshore fisherman working far out at sea

“Da haaf man gaes oot ilk mornin.”

/HAAG-less/

without pity or compassion

“He wis haagless wi thae bairns”

/HAAN-dee-grips/

Blows delivered by the hands

“Da lad gied Jamie haandigrips.”

/HAAND-less/

lacking skill with the hands

“He's awfy haandless at peelin tatties.”

/HAG-mark/

Boundary marker between grazing areas

“Meet me at the hagmark afore we gang the sheep.”

/HAYL/

Haul in fishing gear; sweat streaming

“Hae ye hail the net in yet?”

/HAY-lin-KAYB/

wooden pin for guiding fishing line

“Haud the hailin kabe an' we'll heeze her up.”

/HAY-lee PUCK-uhl/

small lump of hailstone ice

“Da road wis aal white wi haily puckle.”

/HAYN/

Hold back; use sparingly; economise

“Hain a bit o' fish for the bairn.”

/HAIR-RIV-in/

sudden strong gust of wind

“A hair rivin cam ower the voe an snatched ma hat.”

/HAIRS/

Rough, husky, strained-sounding voice

“Da auld man's hairse aye maks folk listen.”

/HAYRST-BLINKS/

distant heat-lightning flashes on warm nights

“A sat an watched hairst blinks t' nicht.”

/HAIRST-muhn/

autumn full moon marking the harvest

“Wi sat doon unner the hairst mön”

/HAYL/

whole and not damaged

“Da auld boat cam hame hale.”

/HAYL-an-HAD-en/

completely intact and undamaged

“Da auld boat cam hame hale an hadden.”

/HAF OOT ah-HINT/

ear notch indicating sheep ownership

“Ah gied the lamb a half oot ahint.”

/HAL-ih-get/

rowdy, disorderly, uncontrolled behaviour

“Da bairns war richt halliget.”

/HAH-lo/

tied bundle of straw for cattle

“Gi'e the hallo tae the coos noo.”

/HAL-vurz/

a person's half when splitting

“Gie me ma halvers o' the catch.”

/HAH-mar/

steep rocky hill or crag

“Da bairn clamb da hamar an' keekit ower”

/HAYM-FEER/

bride's first homecoming celebration

“We gaed tae the hamefir efter the weddin.”

/HANK/

Coil rope for stowing or handling

“Will ye hank the line noo?”

/HAN-suhl/

token gift for an inaugural occasion

“A'll gie the bairn a hansel the morn.”

/HAN-spuh/

Sore, tired legs after exertion

“A hae hansper efter da lunt.”

/HAP/

Traditional knitted shoulder-wrap, typically handmade

“Tak the hap, it's gey cauld.”

/HAP-lays/

Knitted border or edging of shawl

“Da hap lace's awfy braw.”

/HAP-er/

to block or hold back progress

“Da tide happer yer boat”

/HAARD-DARK-en-in/

last light before nightfall

“Coom oot, the hard darkenin's gey braw”

/HAHRK/

speak in a low private voice

“Hark intae ma lug”

/HAHRL/

shuffle along with faltering steps

“A'll harl hame noo.”

/HARN-ed/

Made hard by use or exposure

“Ma haans are richt harned.”

/HARN-pan/

bony skull casing protecting the brain

“Dinnae ding yer harnpan oan the beam.”

/HARSK/

Severe, cold and stormy weather

“Da wind's gey harsk.”

/HAS-lok/

soft wool beneath a sheep's neck

“Gie's the haslock for the bairn's bonnet”

/HAT-er/

bully or handle someone roughly

“Dinna hatter the wee bairn.”

/HED/

Yarn measurement and single animal count

“A hae a head o waul tae spin the morn.”

/HED-RIG/

field strip used for turning plough

“Aw'll till the head rig efter the feeld's dun.”

/HEH-di-KRAH/

a head-first flip or roll

“He gied a braw headicraa intae da sea”

/HED-LINZ/

headfirst in a reckless hurry

“Da laddie gaed headlins intae da burn.”

/HEDS-TA-TRAAS/

alternating heads and feet arrangement

“Pit the bairns heads ta traas on the bed.”

/HEK/

stick used to aid walking

“He leanit on his heck an' gaed alang.”

/HED-er KOH/

large bushy clump of heather

“Da bairns hid in da hedder kowe.”

/HED-er-kin-dunk/

Plank on a fulcrum; rocking motion

“Aw satt oan the hedderkindunk wi da bairns”

/HED-ih-moo/

shimmering mirage caused by heat

“Ah seen a hedimoo ower da brae.”

/HEE-see/

sent away; made to leave abruptly

“He wis heesie efter the meetin.”

/HEL-uh-ree/

worthless stuff or nonsense

“A'll hae nae use fer that hellery.”

/HEL-ik/

broad flat rock sloping to sea

“Set the boat on the hellick an haud her fast.”

/HEL-iss-um/

Friendly, easy to get on with

“She's a hellisom lass, aye up for a blether.”

/HENGK/

to walk unevenly; limp or hobble

“Da auld man henk hame.”

/HER-uld DYOOK/

red-breasted diving sea duck

“I seen a herald deuk oot by da voe.”

/HUR-layn/

by oneself; without any company

“Da auld mither sat herlane at neet.”

/HERT-HOLL/

the exact middle or core

“Da kirk stans i da hert holl o da toon.”

/HERT-sten/

flat stone forming the hearth

“Pit the kettle on da hert sten.”

/HESP/

Skein of yarn prepared for spinning

“Ah maun win the hesp afore Ah kin spin.”

/HIKS-ee/

brief bout of involuntary hiccups

“Ah hae a wee hicksi.”

/HID-uhl/

Hide or tuck away out of sight

“Hiddle the keys in the kist.”

/HID-mohst/

last in a group or line

“He bides hidmost o' the lot.”

/HIL-GAYT/

path across a hill or ridge

“A'll tak the hill gaet”

/HIM-layn/

by himself; without any company

“He cam himlane hame”

/HIMST/

petulant, flighty, easily offended person

“He got himst ower a wee thing.”

/HINT/

slip in and out unseen

“He hint aboot the toon, nae ane saw him”

/HIP/

leave out or skip over

“Dinna hip her frae the list.”

/HURD/

Reap and gather harvest crops

“We'll hird da tatties the morn.”

/HIR-da/

utter disorder; scattered, broken pieces

“Da hoose is hirda efter da party”

/HEER-nik/

small corner or tiny hiding place

“Ah'll put it in a wee hirnik abuin the dresser.”

/HUR-pul/

move along with a limp

“Da auld dug hirpled hame.”

/HISS-HASS/

a confused fuss or noisy commotion

“Dinna mak a hiss hass aboot it.”

/HIV-vet/

Raised localized swelling or small lump

“Ah've got a hivvet oan ma arm.”

/HOK/

to dig or make a hole

“A'll hock the tattie bed the morn.”

/HOK-in/

Extremely hungry; ravenous and starving

“Ah'm hockin, gie me a bit o scran.”

/HOIL-ter/

bulky, awkward, clumsy person

“Ye hae tae gie da hoilter plenty o' room”

/HOL-tree/

Rough, uneven ground with hummocks

“Mind yer fit, da brae's holtry”

/HOO-min/

dim light just after sunset

“We'll be hame afore hömin.”

/HOOCH/

short loud shout to attract attention

“Gie's a hooch!”

/HOOK-ers/

bent knees or leg joints

“Mind yer hookers when ye stoop.”

/HOOR-kul/

crouch low close to the ground

“Hoorkle doon bi da dyke, bairn.”

/HOOS-uh-MEV-er/

Introduces contrast: yet, nevertheless

“He telt me nae tae come, hoosomever A juist gaed alang.”

/HOO-tuh/

Intimidate someone into keeping quiet

“Dinnae let him hooter ye”

/HOARN/

projecting tip of a boat

“Ah tied a wee flag tae the horn.”

/HORN-TOHZ/

rope tether used to secure cow

“Pit the horn towes oan the coo i' the byre.”

/HAWS-GOK/

small marsh wading bird

“Aa saa a horse gock i' the moss.”

/HOHST/

a sudden bout of coughing

“Da bairn hed a sair host.”

/HUH-vee/

Shallow woven bait-carrying basket

“A'll tak the hövi doon tae the voe.”

/HOW/

loosen soil with a hoe

“A'll howe the tatties the morn.”

/HUB-uhl-SKYOO/

A loud, chaotic, noisy commotion

“Dinna gang near da hubbelskyu.”

/HUB-it/

Shunned or driven away after accusation

“He wis hubbit fae the toon.”

/HUL/

scoop out to make a cavity

“Kin ye hull the neep?”

/HUL-ter/

large irregular solitary mass of stone

“Yon hulter staans on the strand.”

/HUM-meld/

smoothed and scoured by the sea

“Yon hummelled driftie lyis oan the strand.”

/HUNK-ul/

brief shoulder lift expressing indifference

“I axed him aboot it, an he gied a hunkle an didna ken.”

/HUNK-suh/

Lift or heft onto one's shoulder

“Gie's a haand, I'll hunkse the creel.”

/HURD/

large shoreline rock or boulder

“Da hurd stans oot oan da strand.”

/HURL/

to push or haul on wheels

“Gi'e the barrow a hurl alang the pier”

/HURL-BOR-uh/

one-wheeled handcart for carrying loads

“Tak the hurl borro oot tae the croft.”

/HURR/

steady low hum or soft whirr

“Da wheel aye hurr alang.”

/HUSH-ee BAA/

soft lullaby phrase to soothe child

“Gie the wee bairn a hushie baa.”

/HIST/

pull up or lift into position

“Hyst the sail noo.”

/EYE-dul sit/

Period when work is at standstill

“It's an idle sit the noo.”

/IL-af/

Poor and financially disadvantaged

“She's ill aff the noo”

/ILL-best/

in a very bad temper

“Da bairn's been ill best aal day.”

/IL-BIS-tet/

Noticeably stained or discoloured

“Da guidwife's apron is ill bistet efter da bakin'.”

/IL-LUK-it/

Marked by bad luck or misfortune

“He's aye been ill luckit wi' his boats.”

/IL-NAY-turd/

Having a nasty, vindictive temper

“Da man's ill naitered, mind ye.”

/ILL-PAIR-tid/

unsuitably matched; poorly paired or incompatible

“Thae twa's ill pairted.”

/IL-SPAY-kin/

Speaking in a rude, impolite way

“He's aye ill spaekin wi the fowk.”

/IL-SUNS/

Sour temper; resentment toward someone

“He's aye ill sunse agin me.”

/ILL-TRIK-it/

Sly, deceitful or badly behaved

“Da man's ill trickit, mind yer pockets.”

/IL TRIV-vən/

Sickly and failing to thrive

“Da plant's fair ill trivven.”

/IL-VIK-it/

Extremely wicked and mean-spirited

“Bide awa frae that ill vicket.”

/IL-WILL-yed/

Mean-spirited and deliberately malicious

“He's an ill willied yin, best keep awa.”

/IL-ska-KREE/

sudden loud shout expressing anger

“She lett oot an ilska cry.”

/EEM/

black sooty crust on pots

“Da kettle's black wi ime”

/IM-per/

make a brief, faint vocal sound

“She let oot a wee imper.”

/in-BIG-it/

Sullen, stubborn; refuses to converse

“Da lass sat inbiggit an wadnae blether.”

/IN-BUHS/

Likely to be met with hostility

“He telt them an they gied him inbös.”

/IN-feeld/

fertile ground around dwelling for crops

“A'll pit the tatties in the infield the morn.”

/IN-had/

only just sufficient for purpose

“Da stool's inhad tae reach th' loft.”

/IN-uh-daks/

within township dykes; near home

“Ah'll bide innadaeks the nicht.”

/IRG/

Deliberately provoke someone into anger

“Dinna irg da man, he'll get het.”

/IRP/

to grumble or fret repeatedly

“Da bairn irp aboot his new jacket.”

/JAMP/

jumped or leapt suddenly

“Da cat jamp aff da dyke.”

/YAN-der/

female animal becoming receptive to mate

“Da ewe's jander the noo.”

/JAN-tree/

local landed or well-to-do person

“Da jantry's gaen tae da kirk the morn”

/YAP/

brief sharp chop on sea

“Ther's a wee jap on the voe.”

/JAP-uhl/

Paddle or trample in shallow water

“Da bairn wad japple i da stank.”

/JIMP/

to spring or hop off the ground

“Da cat can jimp frae stane tae stane.”

/JONZ-mass-FLOR/

wild ribwort plantain with narrow leaves

“I seen a clump o' johnsmass floor by da burn.”

/JOOB/

deep hollow, pit or muddy mire

“Hae ye seen yon joob by da burn?”

/JOO-kuh-ree PAH-kuh-ree/

sly, dishonest tricks or dealings

“Dinna hae his jookerie packerie here.”

/JOOP-ee/

knitted wool vest for warmth

“A'll pit on ma joopie afore we gang oot.”

/JOR-um/

lively social gathering; bout of revelry

“A'll gae tae da jorum the nicht.”

/YULK/

to trample through wet, squelchy ground

“Da moss julk unner ma shuin.”

/KAY-bee/

Pin holding oar in a boat

“Lash da kabe fast afore we row.”

/KAYM/

a comb or narrow crest-like ridge

“Gie me ma kame.”

/KAP/

Wooden bowl for eating or serving

“Gie me the kapp, Ah'm wantin' some broth.”

/KAS-en/

having a sharp, sour taste

“Da milk's kassen noo”

/KAS-tik/

central stalk of cabbage head

“Tak oot the kastik afore ye boil it”

/KAV-vuh-lin TREE/

short wooden stick for guiding animals

“Mam hauds her kavvelin tree when she gaes up the brae.”

/KEK-see/

tall wild umbellifer with white flowers

“Yon kecksie is gey heich.”

/KED/

small tick that feeds on sheep

“Da ked's on t' yow.”

/KEET-chin/

savoury condiment or flavouring garnish

“Pit a wee keetchin oan the tatties.”

/KEN-dlin/

small wood pieces or glowing embers

“Gie's a haund o' kendlin an I'll licht the ingle.”

/KEN-in/

a very small, insignificant amount

“There's nae kennin o milk left.”

/KEP/

seize or halt something in motion

“She kep the door agen the gale.”

/KET-uhl/

Cat giving birth to kittens

“Da moggie kettled yistreen.”

/KET-lin/

young cat, a baby kitten

“Da kettlin's awfu canny.”

/KEE-ar/

Coarse fibrous material for ropes

“He tied da creel wi kiarr.”

/KIB-ee/

uneasy and nervous; on edge

“Ah'm a wee kibby aboot da letter.”

/KINE/

Inborn family disposition or character

“He's aye had his faither's kind.”

/KIRK-in/

formal church service for civic occasion

“Da new councillors'll gang ta the kirkin the morn”

/KIRN/

disorderly, jostling crowd or group

“Dinna gang near da kirn at da quay.”

/KIRN-KOR-siz/

rod used for churning butter

“Gie me the kirn korses, ah'll stairt the kirn.”

/KERN-MULK/

lumps of coagulated or churned milk

“Gie me a bittie o kirn mylk.”

/KIR-nin/

one act of churning milk

“A'll dae ane kirnin the morn wi new milk.”

/KEER-MIRR-in/

small warm tingle of pleasure

“I hed a wee kirr mirrin watchin the bairn sleep.”

/KIR-sen/

Fit to eat or suitable to wear

“Da fish is kirsen.”

/KISH-ee/

small woven straw carrying basket

“Ah'll pit the eggs i' the kishie.”

/KISH-ee BAHND/

strap for slinging a fishing basket

“Da kishie baand needs mendin.”

/KISH-ee-foo/

amount needed to fill a container

“Gie me a kishie foo o' tatties.”

/KIST-NOOK/

small hidden nook in a chest

“A hid ma siller in the kist neuk.”

/KIT/

wooden container for milk and butter

“Tak the kit tae the byre.”

/KIT-ul/

to tickle or stir lightly

“Da lass kittled da bairn wi a feather”

/KIT-lee/

Easily tickled; sensitive to touch

“Da lass is kittly, gie her a wee swipe an she'll laff”

/KLEE-buh/

soft, talc-rich soapstone used for carving

“A'll mak a cook-stane oot o' kleeber.”

/KLIB-er/

wooden frame for securing loads

“Ah'll hing the peat oan the klibber.”

/KLYN/

To smear or fling onto a surface

“Kline the scone wi' butter.”

/KLING/

peat shriveling as it dries

“Da peet's startin tae kling.”

/KLONG-er/

wild thorny dog-rose shrub

“Mind the klonger at the dyke, it'll prickle ye.”

/KLUR-mohs/

noisy, disorderly crowd commotion

“Da klurmose at da pub sent folk hame”

/NEP/

Pucker lips or draw a bag's mouth

“Da lass knep her mou an keekit ower t' sea.”

/NAWK-SOH/

Pulpy paste of crushed limpets

“Gie's a wee teil o knock soe, it's reet braw.”

/NOILT/

quick, sharp knuckle hit

“He gied me a knoilt oan the shulder.”

/NOH/

small rounded hill or mound

“Thar's a wee knowe by the burn.”

/NUK-uhl/

Length from fingertip to first knuckle

“Leave it a knuckle frae the edge.”

/KOY-let/

Hornless cow; naturally or dehorned

“Yon koillet is braw tae milk.”

/KRAMP-iss/

boiled oat dumpling with fat

“A'll hae some krampis.”

/KRAN-set/

animal with differently coloured head

“Yon kranset yow haes a white heid.”

/KRON/

moan or whine when unwell

“Da bairn'll kron if she's nae feelin weel.”

/KRUM-ik/

very small pinch between thumb and fingers

“Gie a krummmick o' salt”

/KURR-ip/

To utter a hoarse croaking sound

“Da corbie kurrip ower da dyke”

/KWILK/

quick, lively, sudden in movement

“Da cat is kwilk up da dyke.”

/KAI/

plural of cow; cattle

“Da kye's oot on da brae.”

/KAYMP/

To struggle or strive vigorously

“Ah saw Tam kyemp wi the tide.”

/KYOH-ab/

gift given to secure a favour

“He gied him a kyoab.”

/KYOH-der/

fuss over someone in excess

“Dinna kyoder the bairn, he'll greet.”

/KYUCK-er/

bring back to life or vigour

“Gie's 'im a sup o tea an he'll kyucker.”

/KYOOF-set/

Appearing messy or poorly arranged

“Da hoose is aw kyufset”

/KYUN-en/

small burrowing European rabbit species

“Da kyunnen hid i' da dike.”

/LAH-ber/

Beat repeatedly; give a severe thrashing

“He gied him a sair laaber.”

/LAAKH/

Express amusement with audible laughter

“She laachs oot sae loud.”

/LAAG/

a pull, especially hauling a boat

“Gie's a laag, lads.”

/LAH-mer/

fossilized tree resin for jewellery

“Ah've got a wee laamer brooch.”

/LAHR/

a gentle, light coastal breeze

“Da laar blaws frae da sea.”

/LAAV/

to hover briefly in the air

“Da gull laav abuin da voe.”

/LAY-brak/

Line of breaking waves along shore

“Da laebrack cam in sae fierce”

/LAYK-lee/

very much like someone or something

“He's laekly o his faither.”

/LAFT/

Upper storey used for storage

“Da laft's fu o auld claes an kist.”

/LAM-us/

First of August harvest festival

“We aye mark lammas wi a bite an a dram”

/LAM-mas-SPEET/

sudden heavy late-summer downpour

“We wur a' waet efter da lammas speet.”

/LAN-er-lee/

Alone and without company

“A'm feelin lanerly the nicht.”

/LANG-LIP-puhnd/

Long-awaited; expected after much waiting

“He's lang lippened tae come hame.”

/LANG-NEB-bit/

describes a long polysyllabic word

“Da wurd's lang nebbit, I cannae say 't”

/LANG-band/

long horizontal roof timber supporting rafters

“Hae ye seen the langband i' the loft?”

/LANG-bed/

makeshift straw-filled bed on floor

“Ah'll pit a langbed oan the grund.”

/LANG-er/

tedious, dull, listless boredom

“Da film wis a richt langer.”

/LANG-sum/

Slow to act or move

“He's aye langsome wi his wark.”

/LAP-er/

to clot; to touch gently like waves

“Da sea lapper oan the stane”

/LAV-i-LUG-it/

Sheep with drooping floppy ears

“Da lavilugget yow bides near the croft.”

/LED-er/

to beat or flog severely

“Da faither gied him a ledder.”

/LED-er-in/

a severe physical beating or thrashing

“He gied 'im a sair ledderin.”

/LEEP/

Partially boil; become very hot

“Gie the tatties a wee leep afore ye mash thaim.”

/LEE-pit/

partially boiled; briefly softened but not cooked

“Put da leepit tatties intae da pan.”

/LEER-ee/

Shetland name for Manx shearwater

“Thar's a leerie oan da clift.”

/LEESH/

work very hard with sustained effort

“Leesh the nets noo!”

/LEET/

to reveal or make known

“He leet it aboot da toon.”

/LAYD/

steady, persistent hard work

“He warks wi leid till the job's deen.”

/LEM-in-der/

person with a permanent walking impairment

“Da lemminder aye taks a staff whan he gangs oot.”

/LEMP-it/

small marine snail clinging to rocks

“There's a wee lempit oan the stane”

/LEM-sket/

moving weakly or sluggishly

“Da kittin lemsket aboot da hoose”

/LENT/

length or extent; also 'finally'

“At lent, he cam hame.”

/LEP/

to drink by lapping with tongue

“Da kit wants tae lep milk frae the saucer.”

/LES/

Sorrowful exclamation of pity or regret

“Less, she's gaen awa”

/LEST/

continue; remain serviceable or sufficient

“Da auld boat'll lest yit.”

/LET/

tiny drop or small liquid measure

“Gie's a lett o' tay.”

/LAY/

grass-covered fallow meadow left to rest

“Da ley's braw the day”

/LIB/

To castrate or geld an animal

“Ah'll lib the tup the morn.”

/LIB-it/

Castrated male animal, especially sheep

“Yon libbet's awfy calm on the brae.”

/LIKHT/

to attack physically or verbally

“Dae nae licht on me.”

/LIKHT-sum/

merry, bright, pleasantly cheerful

“She cam lichtsome doon da lane.”

/LIK-in/

a severe physical beating

“He hed a richt guid lickin frae his faither.”

/LEEF-uh-LAYN/

completely alone with no company

“A'm liefalane the nicht.”

/LYF-TIN-kin/

appearing to be recovering from illness

“She's life tinkin the noo”

/LIF-tit/

Overexcited, excessively boisterous and rowdy

“Da bairns wur fair liftit at da party.”

/LIM-mer/

shameless, immodest, disreputable woman

“Yon limmer aye sits reet in da middle.”

/LING/

Native of the Skerries, Shetland

“Yon ling kens a' the best spots.”

/LIN/

plank used to haul boats ashore

“Set the linn oot alang the strand.”

/LIP/

take a small taste or sip

“Gie it a lip.”

/LIP-er/

cheeky, insolent or impudent person

“Da lipper's aye gannin on.”

/LIRK/

small fold in cloth or skin

“Thar's a wee lirk on da bairn's breeks”

/LISK/

tiny tuft of hay or wool

“Yon lisk o' hay winna bide lang.”

/LEETH/

Soft, pliable; having gentle quality

“Da bannock is lith noo.”

/LIH-tl WURT/

small, weak, of little worth

“Da little wirt winna tak ye far”

/LIV-er MUG-ee/

Person from the island of Burra

“Mind that liver muggie, he aye haes the best tales.”

/LOH-kup/

Small furtive snack between meals

“Dinna tak ma lö cup.”

/LOJ/

small shore-side bothy for fishermen

“Ah'll bide i da lodge the nicht.”

/LOH-dee-pipe/

oat straw whistle toy making music

“Da bairn blew his lödi pipe an made a bonny tune.”

/LOD-ee-grut/

soft, plaintive whine or whimper

“For siccan a lodigrut dat bairn is makkin”

/LUHF-AH-LEN/

entirely alone; with nobody else

“A'll bide löf alenn the nicht.”

/LOHM/

shallow enamelled dish; oily water sheen

“Gie's the löm, A'll wash it.”

/LOO/

slightly warm; lukewarm in temperature

“Da tea's a wee bit loo.”

/LOOR/

Brief deceptively pleasant spell of weather

“A's a braw loor noo.”

/LOORD/

Threatening, gloomy sky or weather

“Da sky's aw loord, tak yer jaakit.”

/LUR-uh-GUB/

thick frothy sea-foam in strait

“Da boat couldna pass da voe o löragub.”

/LOH-ree TOW/

stout towing rope with a hook

“Pit the lowrie towe roond the skiff.”

/LOWS/

to loosen; sudden bursting out

“Lowse the hoss frae the harness.”

/LUB-uh/

tussock of coarse vegetation on moss

“Dinna trip oan the lubba.”

/LUCK-ee-LYNZ/

stringy seaweed strands on shore

“Thar's a gey lot o lucky lines alang the strand the day.”

/LUM/

vertical chimney or smoke passage

“Da lum's gey fu o soot.”

/LUN-der/

to thrash or severely beat someone

“Mind yersel, he'll lunder ye if ye dae that”

/LUN-der-in/

a heavy, violent physical beating

“Da lad cam hame efter a lunderin.”

/LUNK/

walk with short jerky bobbing steps

“See him lunk alang da voe.”

/LUR-git/

a large plentiful portion of food

“She brocht lurgit o' bannocks an butter.”

/LUSS/

Dry flaky dead skin on scalp

“Dinna scrat yer heid, ye've got luss.”

/MAKT-less/

Powerless, unable to act or resist

“Da boat wis machtless i' da gale.”

/MAD-rim/

boisterous, noisy, uproarious good time

“We hed a maddrim last nicht.”

/MAY-ginz/

central or innermost part

“Da well is in da maegins o' da toon.”

/MAYN/

make a low, prolonged mournful sound

“Mither sat an' maen for the bairn.”

/MAYT-HAYL/

healthy, well-fed, hearty appetite

“Da bairn's aw maet hale efter tucker.”

/MAIRKH/

boundary line between neighbouring properties

“Mind yer kye, the mairch's yon stane.”

/MAIRCH-STAYN/

stone marking boundaries between lands

“Bide a meenit by da mairch stane.”

/MAYST-linz/

very nearly, almost the case

“Ah maistlins missit the ferry.”

/MAK-uh-DOH/

a false, affected show meant to deceive

“His freendship wis pure makadö.”

/MAN-kit/

completely exhausted; utterly worn out

“Ah'm mankit efter da wark.”

/MANT/

Speak haltingly with repeated pauses

“He mant when he tried ta spik.”

/MAN-yoo-GIL-tee/

Sly, deceitful schemes or conduct

“He's aye up tae manyugilti.”

/MAHR/

To confuse or make unsure

“That question fair mar me.”

/MAH-ruh/

frightening oppressive nocturnal dream

“Ah hed a mara last neet”

/MAH-REEL/

bioluminescent glow on sea surface

“Da mareel lichtit da sea last nicht”

/MAR-let/

Speckled or streaked in colour

“Da mare is marlet alang hir belly.”

/MAR-tin-mas/

Shetland name for St Martin's Day

“We aye haud a braw feed at martinmas.”

/MAS-sheev/

to wound or cause physical harm

“He did maschiev the lad.”

/MAS-goom/

anglerfish with fleshy head lure

“Yon masgoom ligs i' da voe.”

/MATCH-ee/

Young female herring, not yet mature

“I fand a wee matchie in the net.”

/MEEZ-uh-ree/

extremely thin, gaunt; skin and bone

“He's fair meesery efter the sair sickness.”

/MAYD/

paired landmark for marine navigation

“Pit the meid an yon craig in line an haud yer grund”

/MEL-dee/

small annual arable weed with white flowers

“The field's a' fu o meldies.”

/MEL-ISH-un/

An oath or curse; the devil

“Gie ower, mellishon!”

/MER-kee-BAYN/

long bone with edible marrow

“Gie me the merky bane.”

/MERT/

Fattened animal for sale or slaughter

“Yon mert is fair bonnie an weel-fed”

/MET/

Small spot or stain; a blemish

“There's a mett on yer tee.”

/MIKH-tee/

forceful exclamation of surprise

“Michty, fit a sicht!”

/MID-en-SLOO/

jocular nickname for someone from Unst

“Aye, midden sloo, come an' hev a dram.”

/MID-er NAK-it/

completely without any clothes

“Da bairn ran midder nakit alang da shore.”

/MID-der WIR-sum/

thick central mass of pus

“Da midder wirsom hed tae be takken oot.”

/MIN-din/

from earliest remembered time

“A've kent her mindin.”

/MEERD/

a large crowded throng

“A mird o fowk gaed doon tae da pier.”

/MIR-din/

Filled or overflowing; very abundant

“Da yaird is mirdin wi folk.”

/MEER-LAYD/

stuck in mud, unable to move

“Da coo's mire laid oan da moss.”

/MEER-kah-brod/

gentle, fickle breeze shifting direction

“Da mirkabrod plays wi da sail.”

/MIR-kin/

to grow dark; turn to dusk

“Da sky'll mirken afore lang.”

/MIRK-nen/

dim, fading light of dusk

“Ah'll bide til mirknen on da brae.”

/MIRL/

tremble or flicker slightly

“Da licht mirl oan da watter.”

/MIRR/

Indistinct spot or hazy smudge

“I coudna mak oot whit 't wis, jist a mirr.”

/MIR-ee BEG-yit/

child born out of wedlock

“Da bairn's a mirry begyit, an we lo'e him.”

/MIR-ee DAN-sers/

Colourful dancing lights in the northern sky

“Da mirry dancers wur bonnie last nicht.”

/MIS-AN-ter/

an unintended unlucky little incident

“Ah had a misanter at da croft.”

/MIS-far/

boat swamped or wrecked at sea

“Da yole misfare i da big sea”

/MIT-en/

to seize or take firm hold

“Dinna mitten the bairn!”

/MOHK-AY-ten/

moth-eaten and full of holes

“Da auld coat is moch aeten.”

/MOH-gee/

animal's or person's belly, jokingly

“Da mogie o da haddie's fu o roe.”

/MOHLD-rich/

extremely wealthy; possessing great riches

“He's möld rich, ken ye?”

/MOHL-dee KOOS/

heap of dried peat for cattle bedding

“Gi'e the möldie coose i' the byre for the kye.”

/MUN-BROKH/

luminous ring around the moon

“Yon mön broch's fair bonnie the nicht”

/MUR-nee/

bundle of nerves along backbone

“A hae a sair pain in ma möni.”

/MOOL-bahnd/

To gag or silence someone physically

“Mool baand him, he's gittin oot o hand.”

/MOOR/

snow heavily forming deep wind-driven drifts

“It wull moor the nicht, sae bide at hame.”

/MOO-ree/

violent snowstorm with very poor visibility

“Bide inne, there's a moorie comin'.”

/MOO-rit/

reddish-brown colour of sheep fleece

“Da moorit lambs ar fair cheeky”

/MOOS-wub/

fine silken spider web, a cobweb

“Thar's a moose wub abune the byre door.”

/MOO-skit/

dull light grey like mouse fur

“Da jaiket is mooskit.”

/MOO-th/

a small mouthful or morsel

“Gie's a wee mooth o' that scone.”

/MOOTH-LIF-tin/

small mouthful of food

“Gie's a mooth liftin o that bannock.”

/MOO-tee/

Affectionate term for very small child

“Mootie, bide close til mam.”

/MOR-uh-less/

Not forming a matching pair

“Thae buttons ur morroless.”

/MOESS/

become bewitched; rendered ineffective

“Da auld lass mös an nivver budgit.”

/MOT/

tiny speck or dust particle

“Ther's a mott oan the windae.”

/MOT-ee/

slightly grainy or speckled liquid

“Da milk's a wee motty.”

/MOY-FOY/

playful teasing or harmless mischief

“Bairns dae hae moy foy noo an' again”

/MOY-en-LESS/

Listless and lacking physical strength

“He's sair moyenless efter the lang sail.”

/MUK-uh-fy/

to soil or make filthy

“He'll muckify da hoose afore ye ken”

/MUG-ee/

belly (guts) of a fish

“Tak the muggie oot an gie it tae the gulls.”

/MUL-dur/

Crumble into powder; fall apart

“Da auld stane is beginnin tae mulder.”

/MUM-ee/

Tiny bits or small broken pieces

“Can ye sweep up the mummie?”

/MURG/

Muddled, chaotic, untidy situation

“Da hoose's a murg”

/MUR-gaj/

a confused, untidy, muddled state

“Da hoose's pure murgadge efter t' bairns.”

/MURK-en/

become mouldy; acquire a musty smell

“Da hay's gyen murken.”

/MURN-in/

act of weeping or lamentation

“She sat wi a quiet murnin”

/MURR/

very small object or tiny specimen

“Dae ye see that murr?”

/MUTCH/

close-fitting women's frilled cap

“She hed her mutch on aal day”

/MEEL-GROOL/

Porridge made using milk instead of water

“Gi'me a bowl o myl gruel.”

/MILK-an-MEL/

Hot milk with stirred oats

“Coom an hae some mylk an mell.”

/NAK-ers/

coarse term for male testicles

“Da man clouted his nackers oan da gate”

/NAYM-FY-der/

person one is named after

“Da's ma name faider.”

/NEER-BEG-YAHN/

Extremely stingy, unwilling to share

“Da nearbegyaan winnae pit his han ower a bawbee.”

/NEER-TAL-oh/

fatty kidney suet used for cooking

“Gie me the neer tallow, I'll pit it i' the pan.”

/NEE-ster/

to make a sharp creaking sound

“Da auld door neesters afore it shuts”

/NEEV/

to be overcome by illness

“He neeve awa wi the cauld”

/NEV-foo/

a small handful or palmful amount

“Gie me a nevfoo o' sugar.”

/NIB-ee/

small rounded lump on surface

“Dinna trip ower the nibbie oan the stane.”

/NILE/

removable plug sealing a boat's drain

“Set the nile in the skiff afore ye gae.”

/NYL-hol/

small hole in boat's bottom

“Gi'e the nile hol a keek afore we gang oot.”

/NIP-it/

Snug fitting; close to the body

“A'm awfy comfie in ma nippet gansey.”

/NIP-sik-er/

Sharp, biting tone; harshly bitter

“She telt him wi a nipsiccar tone”

/NEERLZ/

contagious illness with itchy blisters

“Da bairn's got nirls an' cannae gang tae skool.”

/NIRT/

a tiny speck or fragment

“There's nae nirt left.”

/NOH-nee/

tiny person or little creature

“Da nonie's hid in ma coat.”

/NOO-dul/

hum or sing quietly to oneself

“He daes noodel alang tae himsel.”

/NOO-kee/

projecting tip of breast or udder

“Gie the nooky tae the calf.”

/NOOP/

steep cliff-like headland into sea

“A'll gae up tae the noop the morn.”

/NOOST/

hollow for drawing up small boat

“Ah set the boat in the noost.”

/NOR-der-lee/

pointing toward or from the north

“Da norderly wind blaws in fae da sea.”

/NYAHF/

a petty, self-important small-minded person

“Da nyaaf maks a gran' show o' himsel.”

/NYAHG/

persistent dull irritating aching pain

“Ah've hed a nyaag in ma shooder sin Munday.”

/NYAARM/

to make a lamb's bleating sound

“Da wee lamb nyaarm on da brae.”

/NYEP/

Grip or bind tightly; cinch closed

“Nyep the bag weel”

/NYEP-kin/

small square headscarf or handkerchief

“Tie yer nyepkin aboot yer heid.”

/NYIF/

spry; a sharp unpleasant whiff

“There's a nyiff frae the boat.”

/NYEEG/

to pull with jerky motions

“Gie's a nyig, it'll budge.”

/NYIG-uhl/

make small, ineffectual knife cuts

“He aye nyiggle at da fish wi his knife.”

/NYERG/

to nag or scold repeatedly

“Da mither's aye nyirg at me.”

/NYIT-er/

to complain in a peevish way

“Dinna heed her, she's aye a nyitter.”

/NYIV-vul/

to pinch and knead between fingers

“Da wee bairn likes tae nyivvel da dough.”

/NYOOK/

small hearthside alcove for storing peat

“Ah sat i' da nyook 'til the tea wis ready.”

/OHG/

crawl slowly on hands and knees

“Da bairn oag alang da floor.”

/OB-jekt/

pitiable helpless elderly or ill person

“He's an object, bides i' the chair a' day.”

/ob-BLEEJ-ment/

a kindly helpful act for someone

“Ta, that's a braw obleegement.”

/ODZ/

degree of importance between things

“Da odds is nae muckle 'tween them”

/OH-dee-us/

Very or exceedingly; an intensifier

“Da day is odious braw.”

/OY-lee MUG-ee/

Local nickname for Northmavine resident

“Yon oily muggie's aye smilin'.”

/OH-lik/

young ling; small sea fish

“We gaed oot tae olick.”

/UR-LEE-KLOHR-um/

slightly ill; looking weak or feeble

“He's no hissel', a bit öliklörum.”

/UHN/

Muggy, stuffy oppressive warm air

“It's gey ön in the hoose.”

/ON-DRAW/

temporary spare set of clothes

“A'll tak the on draw wi me.”

/ON-KER-ee/

a noisy, disruptive little commotion

“He's makin' a reet onkerry at da pier.”

/ON/

spade-turned patch; single small task

“Ah'll dee the wee onn efter tea.”

/on-STAAN-din/

unyielding and stubborn in attitude

“Da onstaandin fella wad sit oot in da rain afore he cam in”

/ON-tak/

a large, difficult task or job

“We'll nivver get through thon ontack the day.”

/OOB/

Make a prolonged plaintive complaining cry

“Dinna oob aboot the wather.”

/OO-en/

Made from sheep's wool

“Yon cap is ooen.”

/OOL/

sick, low in spirits and listless

“A'm a wee ool the noo”

/OOL-it/

mischievous, ill-behaved little nuisance child

“Da oolet's aye hidin' ma keys.”

/oon-BEMD/

unfamiliar with local climate or surroundings

“He's oonbemmed efter da first nor'east gale.”

/OON-SAIRD/

Not given or set out

“Da tea is oonsaired.”

/OON-TEE-lee/

Portending bad luck; an ominous sign

“Da nicht's oonteelie”

/OO-rik/

foolish or worthless speech or thing

“He's aye spoutin oorick.”

/OOR-il/

to work slowly and unhurriedly

“He oorils alang the brae.”

/OOS-ter/

talk over someone to dominate conversation

“Dae nae ooster me”

/OOT-tak/

lasting durability or staying power

“Yon auld kettle haes oot tack, ye can aye trust it.”

/OOT-uh-deks/

away beyond the hill dykes

“Da lass is ootadaeks the nicht.”

/OOT-BAYTS/

grazing ground beyond the hill-dyke

“Aw'll tak the kye ootbaits the morn.”

/OOT-burg/

outer spread of cut peats to dry

“Hae ye laid the peats on the ootburg yet?”

/OOT-lee-uhs/

animals or people kept outdoors

“Da ootliers bide oot on da muir.”

/OOT-MAH-git/

completely exhausted from hard physical labor

“He cam hame ootmaagit efter da lang day o' croftin'.”

/OOT-run/

small enclosed croft grazing area

“A'll pit the ewes in the ootrun.”

/OP-STROH-POH-LUS/

noisy, unruly, boisterous person or crowd

“Da bairns wur aw opstropolous.”

/OS-mil/

odd and unsettling in appearance

“Yon hoose is awfu osmil at nicht.”

/OET-nuh/

very small broken pieces; tiny fragments

“Mind yer step, there's ötna on t' floor.”

/OOR-END/

overly eager, forward and pushy

“Dinna be owre end, lass.”

/OWR-GEEN/

overgrown and invaded by weeds

“Ye cannae see da stile, it's owre geen.”

/OWR-steer/

Boisterous, showy and extravagant behaviour

“Da lass is owre steer wi her ribbons.”

/OOR-troo/

brief conceded affirmative response

“Aye, owre true.”

/OWS-en/

plural of ox; draught or meat

“Da owsen wirked a' day”

/OW-SKER-ee/

hand scoop for bailing boat water

“Gi'e me the owskerri, the boat's fillin' wi' watter.”

/OY-ger/

very large sea wave breaker

“Da öyger swep ower da stane pier.”

/PAHL/

Dig in feet to steady oneself

“Paal yer fit oan the brae.”

/PAHND/

decorative cloth strip across window top

“Ma mither put a bonnie paand ower the windae.”

/PAK-ee/

itinerant hawker and fishing bundle

“Da packie cam alang wi a wheen o trinkets.”

/PAD-uk STOHL/

wild mushroom found in pastures

“Ah spied a paddock stöl alang da dyke.”

/PAYK/

small tuft or bite of grass

“I gied the lambs a paek this morn”

/PAYZ-eggs/

Easter eggs collected by visiting children

“Da bairns cam hame wi thair paes eggs.”

/PAES-wisp/

matted tangle of rope or thread

“He tyuk a paes wisp aff da reel.”

/PAYZ-day/

the Monday immediately after Easter

“We gang oot wi the bairns on paesday.”

/PAN-free/

sudden fluster or nervous commotion

“A panfry cam oot whan the bairn near fell fae the rocks”

/PAN-tuhn/

indoor slipper with wooden sole

“A left ma pantan oan the stoop.”

/par-TEE-klar/

exceptionally good; outstanding quality

“Da cake's parteeklar”

/PAT/

Placed, put; past form of 'pit'

“Ah pat it oan the taabel”

/PEEG/

brief faint glimmer of light

“Yon peeg disna bide lang.”

/PEEL/

a small amount or portion

“Gie's a peel o' tatties.”

/PEEN/

single pane of window glass

“Hae ye seen the peen in the winda?”

/PEE-nee/

sleeveless apron worn over clothes

“Mither pit a braw peenie on the bairn.”

/PEER-ee WYZ/

in a cautious, watchful manner

“He keekit peerie wyes roond the hoose”

/PEE-ster/

to make a high-pitched shrill squeak

“Yon gull aye peester ower the voe.”