CHAPTER THE SEVENTH. (continued 3)
Reading edition
A bedgown, or loose female upper garment, is still in many parts of Scotland termed a jupe (Fr. jupe).
In Kincardineshire the ashes of a blacksmith's furnace had the peculiar name of smiddy-coom (Fr. écume, i.e. dross).
Oil, in common Scotch, used always to be ule,--as the uley pot, or uley cruse (Fr. huile).
Many of my readers are no doubt familiar with the notice taken of these words by Lord Cockburn, and with the account which he gives of these Scottish words derived from the French, probably during the time of Queen Mary's minority, when French troops were quartered in Scotland. I subjoin a more full list, for which I am indebted to a correspondent, because the words still lingering amongst us are in themselves the best REMINISCENCES of former days.
Scotch. English. French.
Serviter Napkin From Serviette.
Gigot (of mutton) ... " Gigot.
Reeforts Radishes " Raiforts.
Grosserts Gooseberries " Groseilles.
Gardyveen Case for holding wine " Garde-vin.
Jupe Part of a woman's dress " Jupe.
Bonnaille A parting glass with a " Bon aller.
friend going on a journey
Gysard Person in a fancy dress " Guise.
Dambrod Draught-board " Dammes.
Pantufles Slippers " Pantoufles.
Haggis Hashed meat " Hachis.
Gou Taste, smell " Gout.
Hogue Tainted " Haut gout.
Grange Granary " Grange.
Mouter Miller's perquisite " Mouture.
Dour Obstinate " Dur.
Douce Mild " Doux.
Dorty Sulky " Dureté.
Braw Fine " Brave.
Kimmer Gossip " Commère.
Jalouse Suspect " Jalouser.
Vizzy To aim at, to examine " Viser.
Ruckle Heap (of stones) " Recueil.
Gardy-loo (Notice well known in " Gardez-l'eau.
Edinburgh)
Dementit Out of patience, deranged " Dementir.
On my verity Assertion of truth " Verité.
By my certy Assertion of truth " Certes.
Aumrie Cupboard " Almoire, in old
French.
Walise Portmanteau " Valise.
Sucker Sugar " Sucre
Petticoat-tails Cakes of triangular shapes " Petits gatelles
(gateaux).
Ashet Meat-dish " Assiette.
Fashious Troublesome " Facheux.
Prush, Madame[190] Call to a cow to come " Approchez,
forward Madame
Edinburgh Street Cry:--"Neeps like sucker. Whae'll buy neeps?" (turnips).
I dwell the more minutely on this question of Scottish words, from the conviction of their being so characteristic of Scottish humour, and being so distinctive a feature of the older Scottish race. Take away our Scottish phraseology, and we lose what is our specific distinction from England. In these expressions, too, there is often a tenderness and beauty as remarkable as the wit and humour. I have already spoken of the phrase "Auld-lang-syne," and of other expressions of sentiment, which may be compared in their Anglican and Scotch form.
FOOTNOTES: