The Outlandish Companion - Diana Gabaldon [137]
pooch nane (Scots)—“pouch none”; put nothing in one’s sporran; i.e., don’t take anything away from the table.
fungas (Gaelic) [foongas]—mushrooms; fungus in general
drammach (Gaelic) [dramak]—a mixture of oats and water, uncooked. Very refreshing (says Iain) on a hot day while cutting peats, etc.
burke (English)—generally dismissive term for an undistinguished male.
tynchal [tinshal]—a hunt. IMT notes that there is no letter “Y” in Gaidhlig, so he doesn’t think this is a Gaelic term, preferring “Sealg.” (Sir Walter Scott used it, but he was a Lowlander, what would he know?) It seems to be a Scots (rather than Gaelic) term (spelt variously), meaning “a circle formed by sportsmen to encircle deer or other game.”
sealg (Gaelic) [she-alag]—a hunt.
ballag buachair (Gaelic) [Ballag buakair]—mushroom; literally, “manure bubble.” (correct spelling of “balgan-buachrach, ”as used in Out-lander is “technically not incorrect” (IMT).)
quiring (English, obs.) [KWI-ring]—singing; choiring, griss (Scots)—nail.
lug (Scots)—ear.
swivet (English)—state of extreme agitation; “in a swivet” over something
Luceo non uro (Latin)—“I shine, not burn.” Motto of clan MacKenzie, appearing on the clan badge with the image of a “burning mountain.”
Je suis prest (French)—“I am ready.” Motto of clan Fraser. NB: This is an ancient form of French; in the modern form, the “s” has been replaced by a diacritical mark, and the word is spelled “prét.“ However, the Fraser motto uses the old spelling.
Tulach Ard (Gaelic) [Toolak Aarsd]— “The High Hill.” Battle cry of clan MacKenzie. I have no idea what high hill, but that’s what it means.
tarn (English)—small pool, commonly found on moorland.
tannasg (Gaelic) [tannasg]—spirit or ghost.
sgian dhu (Gaelic) [Sgeean duh]—the “black knife”; a small knife carried in stocking-top or armpit.7
Stad, mo dhu (Gaelic) [Stat, mo ghuh]— “Stay, my black one.” (IMT notes that this is perhaps not the way a native speaker would say it.)
sguir (Gaelic) [sgooir]—stop (doing whatever you’re doing).
swiving (English)—sexual intercourse; vulgar usage.
Buidheachas, mo charaid (Gaelic)
[Booiakas, a karaid]—roughly, “Thank you, friend”; “buidheachas” indicates thanksgiving or gratitude, or satisfaction. IMT notes that “Taing” is a much more commonly used word for thanks.8 Easier to spell, too.
donas (Gaelic) [DOnas]—devil or demon.
duine (Gaelic) [DOOnuh or Du-ine]—a man, an individual.
cobhar (Gaelic) [CO-ar]—one dictionary gave this word as “seafoam,” which was the meaning I intended. However, another gives it only as “relief or help.” IMT says it’s help, or refuge.
ciamar a tha thu (Gaelic) [Kia-mar a haa u]—greeting; “How are you?”9
saft (Scots)—literally, “soft.” Figuratively, a light drizzle, as in “saft weather,” or foolishness/mental deficiency—“saft in the heid.”
silkie (also selkie) (Scots)—a seal.
bassin (French) [bah-SEEN]—a basin or shallow dish.
en deshabille (French) [ahn day-sha-BEEL]—in a state of undress.
mo airgeadach (Gaelic) [mo eregedak]— my silver one. IMT notes that a native speaker would be more likely to say, “Mo nighean bhan.” [mo nee-an vaan], meaning “My fair-haired girl.” Since Jamie is more likely referring to Claire’s skin than her hair, I think perhaps the former is more likely, even if not common usage.
caiman geal (Gaelic) [caiman gi-al]— white dove; “geal” also carries the meaning “bright.”
tenebrous (English) [TEN-eh-brus]— shadowed.
cullen skink (Scots)—As one of my cookbooks remarks, “This is not an offensive small animal, but a traditional recipe for soup from the Moray Firth area.” It consists of haddock and mashed potatoes, simmered in milk and cream with onion, butter, mace, parsley, and salt and pepper.
dittay (Scots)—a court document; an indictment.
croich gorn (pseudo-Gaelic)—your guess is