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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781927492734 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Nimbus Publishing |
| Publication date: | 03/31/2014 |
| Edition description: | Bilingual |
| Pages: | 66 |
| Sales rank: | 920,931 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.16(d) |
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Cursing
Cursing here refers to wishing ill of a person or thing, often by calling upon the assistance of non-human agents such as God, the Devil and other "supernatural" beings.
These curses cover a range of ill will or anger: some of them express violent rage, while others can even be used teasingly. Subtleties of degree are hard to capture in translation and out of context – use with caution!
Unlike the fixation on sexual activity in English, Gaelic curses and insults are oriented around death, suffering and damnation.
Terminology
The verb "To curse, To damn"
mallaich a' cur mallachd air
Nouns related to "curse" or "verbal insult"
aoir – satire, caricature
bearradaireachd – insulting language
càineadh – putting down, slagging off
contrachd / cundrachd – curse
droch cainnt – bad language
droch ghuidhe – ill wish
gearradh-cainnte – invective, cutting language
guidheachan – invocation of ill will toward someone
mallachd / mollachd – curse
Bàs an fhithich ort!
May you suffer the death of the raven!
Curses
Adharc 'nad chliathaich!
May a horn enter your side!
A dhonas is a dhòlas ort!
May you suffer evil and sorrow!
Àireamh na h-Aoine ort!
May you be cursed by counting on Friday! (Counting cattle on a Friday was taboo; doing it exposed a person to the ill will of the fairies.)
An-aghaigh ort!
May you suffer shame!
An dunaidh 'nad chliathaich!
May disaster enter your side!
An-uair ort!
May bad weather befall you!
Bàs an fhithich ort!
May you suffer the death of the raven! (It was believed that ravens were killed by their own young.)
Bàs dunach ort!
May you suffer the death of disaster!
Bàs gun sagart ort!
May you die without a priest!
Bealach millidh ort!
May you go into the mountain pass of destruction!
Beul sìos ort!
May you have a down-turned mouth!
B' fhearr leam gun robh thu ann an h-Irt!
I wish you were in St. Kilda!
Buinneach o'n teine ort!
May you suffer diarrhea from the fire! (It was believed that if diarrhea made contact with fire it would be much worse.)
Burn dubh ort!
Black water on you! ("Black water" is a euphemism for depression.)
Cadal na caorach anns an dris ort!
The sleep of the sheep in the brambles to you!
Cadal an deargain air a' ghreidil dhut!
The sleep of the flee on the griddle to you! (This is a reference to a story about a flee that fell asleep on the bottom of the griddle and only awoke when it was put on the fire.)
Car tuathal t' aimhleis ort!
May you take an unlucky turn for the worse!
Contrachd ort!
Curses on you!
Dia 'nad aghaidh is 'nad aodann, bàthadh air muir is losgadh air tìr, crogan sgithich eadar do chridhe is t' àirnean!
May God be against you and in your face; may you suffer drowning at sea and burning on land; may a branch of hawthorn be thrust between your heart and your kidney!
Dì-bìdh ort!
May you lack food! (This was commonly directed toward those better off who oppress the poor.)
Dìol Bhaltair an Gàdhaig ort!
May you suffer the fate of (Lord) Walter (Comyn) of Gaick, Badenoch! (He was believed to be ripped to pieces by eagles.)
Droch bhàs ort!
May you have an evil death!
Droch bhealach ort!
May you travel an evil mountain pass!
Droch caoidh ort!
May you suffer an evil moan!
Buinneach o'n teine ort!
May you suffer diarrhea from the fire!
Droch ceann ort!
May you suffer an evil end!
Droch ciall ort!
May you suffer bad sense!
Droch comhdhail ort!
May you encounter an evil omen!
Droch coinneamh ort!
May you have an evil encounter!
Droch crìoch ort!
May you come to an evil end!
Droch crann ort!
May you have bad luck!
Droch dhìol ort!
May you suffer a bad fate!
Droch fhuil ort!
May bad blood be on you!
Droch iùil ort!
May you suffer ill guidance / navigation!
Droch sgeul ort!
May there be bad news about you!
Droch sgillinn ort!
May an evil shilling (bad luck) find you!
Droch sgioram ort!
May you suffer an evil stumbling!
Droch shiubhal ort!
May you suffer an evil journey!
Fraighean falamh do d' bhus!
May your mouth encounter empty food storage!
Gaoth gun dìreadh ort!
May unbeatable winds overcome you!
Geòlach ort!
May you wear death bandages!
Gonadh ort!
May you be wounded (by the evil eye)!
Guma h-olc dhut!
May evil befall you!
Guma h-anmoch dhut!
May you wander in darkness!
Gum bu droch dhruighleach dhut!
May you only have bad dregs!
Gun toir am Fear Mór leis thu!
May the Great Man (the Devil) take you with him!
Gun gabh a' bhochdainn thu!
May poverty take you!
Gun gabh an Riabhach thu!
May the Brindled One (the Devil) take you!
Gun sgath am Fear Mór thu!
May the Great Man (the Devil) destroy you!
Gun toir am Fear Mór leis thu!
May the Great Man (the Devil) take you with him!
Is oil leam nach robh do luath fo charn!
I think it's too bad that your ashes are not lying under a cairn!
Ith do chac!
Eat your shit!
Leibid ort!
May ineptness befall you!
Losgadh do chridhe ort!
May you suffer the burning of your heart!
Losgadh dubh do dhunach ort!
May you have the black burning of your disaster!
Manadh do chrochaidh ort!
May you have the premonition of your hanging!
Marbhphaisg ort!
May you wear a death-shroud!
Mallachd Phàdraig ort!
May Patrick's curse be on you!
Mìoloinn ort!
May you suffer wretchedness!
Mìothlachd ort!
May you suffer discontentment!
Na h-uilc is na h-uirchill ort!
May you suffer evils and diseases!
Nasg is bràighdean ort!
May you wear the collar of captivity!
Pathadh nan caorach ort!
May you have the thirst of the sheep! (That is, may you be dead.)
Pòg mo thòn!
Kiss my arse!
Rach a h-Irt!
Go to the island of St. Kilda!
Saighead dhubh do ghonaidh 'nad thaobh!
May the black arrow of wounding enter your side!
Saighead dhubh do ghonaidh 'nad thaobh!
May the black arrow of wounding enter your side!
Siubhal Artair ort!
May you depart like Arthur (who never returned)!
Siubhal na Samhna dhut!
May you depart like Halloween!
Spriolag ort!
May you wear a corpse's headband!
Thoir Ifrinn ort!
Go to Hell!
Tòn air eigh dhut!
May your arse fall on the ice!
Tòn air eigh dhut!
May your arse fall on the ice!
CHAPTER 2Swearing
Swearing here refers to the use of "salty" language and the uttering of profanities, or euphemisms to avoid certain words or names (such as the Lord's name). Most of these are exclamations that are usually cried out in surprise, anger or pain.
Terminology
Nouns related to profanity
mionnan — strong language (for example, taking the Lord's name in vain)
speuradh — using profanities
tapag — involuntary exclamation, usually words with a sexual connotation
Expletives and Exclamations
A Leabhaire!
O Book (the Bible)!
A mhic an damnaidh!
O son of damnation!
A mhic an Diabhail!
O son of the Devil!
A mhic an Riabhaich!
O son of the Brindled One (the Devil)!
A mhic Ifrinn!
O son of Hell!
A mhic an uilc!
O son of evil!
An ainm an àigh!
In the name of joy!
An Diabhal fhéin!
The Devil himself!
Bod an Donais!
The Devil's penis!
An Donas Dubh!
The Black Evil (i.e., the Devil)!
A Mhuire Mhàthair!
O Mother Mary!
A thrustair nan seachd sitigean!
O nasty man of the seven middens!
Bod a' chac!
Penis of the shit!
Bod an Donais!
The Devil's penis!
Bod ort!
A penis for you!
Iasg is feòil!
Fish and flesh! (This is a euphemism allowing the speaker to avoid saying Ìosa [Jesus])
Iutharnaich riabhaich na galla!
O brindled hell-dweller of the bitch!
Mo chreach-sa thàinig!
My ruination has come!
Pit air iteig!
Flying vagina!
'S e plàigh a th' annad!
You are a plague!
CHAPTER 3Snuff and Tobacco
Scottish Highlanders were already noted in the 17th century as being exceedingly fond of snuff.
So renowned were they for their love of the weed that wooden statues of them were set outside of London snuff shops similar to the "Cigar Shop Indians" better known in North America. Snuff boxes and horns were commonly given as expensive presents. A snuff-mull that dates from about 1715 was carved from ivory in the shape of a Scottish Highlander.
The renowned Gaelic poetess, Màiri nighean Alasdair Ruaidh, composed a poem of thanks to John MacLeod of Bernera sometime in the late 1600s when he presented her with a snuff-mull. Martin Martin, a native of Skye who wrote about the Western Isles of Scotland in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, mentions that the people of the island of Barra were so fond of tobacco that they tried to grow it on the island! The existence of a term referring to the agitation of a person needing a fix of tobacco – recorded in the 19th century – suggests the degree to which tobacco had become entrenched in Highland life: Tha an turach air (He is agitated because he needs his tobacco).
On the other hand, anti-smoking songs can also be found in Gaelic by the mid-19th century in both Scotland and Canada.
Terminology
a' gabhail toit — taking a smoke
a' smocadh — smoking
snaoisean — snuff
tombàc(a) — tobacco (a Native American word borrowed into many European languages, including Gaelic)
Proverbs
Am biadh a theachdas os cionn gach bìdh: snaoisean.
The food that can follow all others: snuff.
Chan fhacas fear-faoighe riamh gun tombàc.
A gentle beggar was never seen without tobacco.
"Altachadh an t-Snaoisein" / "Ode to the Snuff Box"
Ode to the Snuff Box
This is a Gaelic poem in praise of a snuff box that was originally printed in 1780 but may be older.
Fàilt' ort fhéin, a bhogais
'S do chleite mhath maille riut:
Tombàca math biorach donn Chuireas braim á gearran.
Air a lomadh, air a phronnadh,
Air a chur ri teine;
Seachnaidh e an t-sròn
'S ruigidh e an t-eanchainn; Bheir e an t-anam 's a' chaillich A chaill e bho chionn seachd bliadhna.
Chan eil airc fuail na tionndadh bramaich No gnè galair tha 'n aorabh duine Nach cuir e ás a dheòin no a dh'aindeoin.
Seo ort, a shròn,
Freagair, a thòn!
Math am pliobairnich, snaoisean –
Amen, a bhogsa.
Welcome to you, O box And your good powder along with you:
Good, sharp, brown tobacco Which causes a workhorse to fart.
Stripped, crushed and roasted:
It will sidestep the nose And reach the brain:
It will revive the spirit of the old woman Who lost it seven years previous.
There is no disease of the blood Or repeated swelling Or any nature of sickness In a person's constitution That it will not destroy With or without its co-operation.
This is for you, O nose,
Make your response, O buttocks!
Snuff is great stuff –
Amen, O box.
Ode to the Tobacco Pipe
This song-poem in praise of the smoking pipe was composed by an anonymous Canadian Gael in Glengarry County, Ontario, in the 19th century. It seems to have been in response to those who disapproved of the use of tobacco, and indeed the poet seems to express some reservations toward the end of the poem.
'S i mo ghaol a' phìob-thombàca Ged tha mi 'saoithreach 'gad lasadh; Mur fàgadh tu m' aodann cairtidh Ghabh mi tlachd dhiot thar gach nì.
'S toigh leam thu 's a' mhadainn reòta Chuireadh tu blas feadh mo phòran; 'S nuair a thachradh duine còir rium, Dh'fheòraichinn deth "An gabh thu 'phìob?"
Ged bha càch a' sìor chur sìos ort 'S mise nach creideadh an sgeula: Ged bha mulad 'gam liathadh Thogadh tu gach fiabhras diom.
Chan eil cailleach, chan eil bodach, – Ged bha fiamh is fraoch gu trod orr' – Nach tionndadh gu sìth bho'n chogadh Nuair gheibheadh iad toit dhe'n phìob.
'S bho'n shìn mi riut an eòlas 'S tu mo thoil-inntinn 's mo shòlas;
The smoking pipe is my beloved Even if lighting you keeps me busy; If it weren't that you leave my face smoked You would be my joy above all other things.
I like you in the frozen morning You would fill my pores with sensations; And when a congenial fellow encountered me, I would ask him, "Do you smoke the pipe?"
Even though everyone always puts you down I would not believe their story: Even if sorrow was turning me grey You would lift every sickness from me.
There is no man or woman – Even if they were heated for a brawl – Who would not turn from battle to peace When they would get a smoke from the pipe.
Ever since I began to get to know you You have been my comfort and entertainment; 'S chan eil ionndrainn an sùgh an eòrna Nuair théid do cheò air feadh mo chinn.
An àm dol a chadal 's an oidhche Chan iarrainn caidreabh ri maighdinn; Nan cumadh tu toit is greim rium Chan fhaighneachdainn gu dé 'phrìs.
Shaoil mi, nuair a bha mi gòrach Nach dèanadh do chaidreabh gò dhomh; Ach thug e tarraing air mo phòca Na chaidh 'nad sgròban sìos.
Ach nuair chuir mi suas de chunntas 'S ann chithinn gnìomh ùr dhomh: 'S chosd mi tuilleadh mór is punnd riut, 'S cha robh dh'ùine ann ach mìos.
Com na fialachd, nach iarr airceas, Làmh a riarachadh an tombàca: Am fear nach fiach 'na bheul a bhlas dheth Saoilidh e gur creach gach nì.
I do not miss the juice of the barley When your smoke fills my head.
At night, when it is time to sleep I would not seek out the company of a maiden; If you would supply me with smoke and a grip I would not ask the price.
I thought, when I was naive That your company would do me no harm; But it took a toll on my pocket, All that which went down your tube.
But when I took full account, Indeed, I saw the matter anew: I spent well over a pound on you, Even though it was barely a month.
The embodiment of generosity, that lacks not, Is the hand that passed out the tobacco: The man who will not try a taste of it himself, He will think that everything is a disaster.
CHAPTER 4Drinking
Scientists have established that many different spe- cies intentionally ingest substances that alter their state of consciousness. Archaeologists have traced the human invention of alcohol back to at least the year 10,000 BCE.
Alcohol has a long history in Gaelic culture and was important for several purposes and contexts. First, offering it is an act of generosity, hospitality and social cohesion. Second, it was a means of commemorating and even communicating with the ancestral dead – the modern toast is a dim echo of that tradition. Third, it was a means of invoking an altered state of consciousness, a "high" which intensified the pleasant social conviviality of the occasions on which it was shared among hosts and guests. Fourth, it imparted warmth and energy quickly to people living in a cold climate.
While alcohol has its comforts and its delights, these sometimes come at a cost, especially if taken to excess. Gaelic tradition does not condone unrestrained drunkenness, but instead endorses good health and moderation. Indeed, as demonstrated below, some Gaelic poets criticized the effects of excessive drink generations before the Temperance Movement.
Terminology
Types of drink
deoch an dorais — departing drink at door (see below)
deoch-cuimhneachain — toast in memory of deceased
deoch-eòlais — drink to form acquaintance
deoch-maidne — morning drink (whisked egg, milk and whisky)
Being in a state of drunkenness
Tha e air an dallanaich. — He is blind drunk.
Tha e air an daoraich. — He is getting drunk.
Tha e air mhisg. — He is on a bender (getting drunk).
Tha an deoch air. — He is drunk.
Tha goileag air. — He is drunk.
Tha smùid air. — He is happily drunk.
Bha e air smùid mhór a ghabhail. — He went on a big drinking binge.
Drinking and Drinkers
misgear — drunkard
pòite — excess
drinking pòitear — hard drinker
Names for Liquor
briuthas — homebrew
a' ghealach gheal — white moon(shine)
mac an Tòisich (or mac na Tòiseachd) — whisky, by as- sociation with Ferintosh, Ross, which paid no duty for distilling
mac na bracha — the son of the malt – i.e., whisky
mac na praisich — the son of the still – i.e., whisky
poit-dhubh — black still (illegal liquor)
uisge-beatha — the water of life; the origin of the English word "whisky"
The Four Drams of the Morning
The term sgailc (forceful blow, thump, slap) was used metaphorically for a dram of whisky. Those who could afford it would start the day with a series of four small drams to get them started, the alcohol acting like fuel to warm them up. These four drams accompanying the stages of awakening were called:
sgailc-nid — a nest-dram, taken while still in bed
friochd-uilinn — a nip of the elbow, taken while beginning to arise
Deoch an Dorais The Door Drink
deoch cas rùisgte — a bare-footed drink, taken after getting to one's feet but before getting dressed
deoch bhleith — a ground-meal drink, taken while waiting for porridge to be served
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The Naughty Little Book of Gaelic"
by .
Copyright © 2014 Michael Newton.
Excerpted by permission of Nimbus Publishing Limited.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Foreword, xi,
Cursing, 1,
Swearing, 11,
Snuff and Tobacco, 14,
Drinking, 22,
Sex, 34,
Sources, 46,