An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Càil sam bith eile / Anything else
wulliam
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:36 pm
Language Level: Minimal
Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
Location: UK

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by wulliam »

Hi. I wonder whether someone with knowledge of old Gaelic phrases and idioms might be able to help?

In 1871 a tradition was recorded.
It says that a man unwilling to give his daughter in marriage made an excuse: "gun ro leum na ceann aig aird na gealaich".

As far as my brother (who is fluent) can make out it says "that the head(s) jumped at the promontory of the moon"??

You can see the original at http://www.carmichaelwatson.lib.ed.ac.u ... isinis/ALL
Any help will be gratefully received :)

Thanks for reading!
William


GunChleoc
Rianaire
Posts: 4607
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:26 am
Language Level: Mion-chùiseach
Corrections: Please correct my grammar
Location: Dùthaich mo chridhe
Contact:

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by GunChleoc »

"na ceann" could also mean "in her head".
Oileanach chànan chuthachail
Na dealbhan agam
akerbeltz
Rianaire
Posts: 1781
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:26 am
Language Level: Barail am broinn baraille
Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
Location: Glaschu
Contact:

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by akerbeltz »

He's making the excuse that she's crazy, leum 'na ceann 'a leap in her head' i.e. something gone wrong, aig àirde na gealaich, as high as the moon is just an intensifier, a bit like saying she's completely bonkers.
wulliam
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:36 pm
Language Level: Minimal
Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
Location: UK

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by wulliam »

That's really helpful - thanks! There's a Northern Irish phrase describing someone who's taken a bit of a crazy turn - "head staggers".
I wonder whether 'head staggers' might be an English tr*nsl*t**n of an old Gaelic phrase?

William
Níall Beag
Rianaire
Posts: 1432
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:58 pm
Language Level: Fluent (non-native)
Corrections: I'm fine either way
Location: Sruighlea, Alba
Contact:

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by Níall Beag »

The moon was traditionally associated with madness across Europe -- it's not a coincidence that we call crazy people lunatics. There's an outdated English phrase describing someone as "touched by the moon" when they have mental problems. (The internet claims this is Cockney rhyming slang for "loon", but I don't believe it.)
faoileag
Maor
Posts: 1505
Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:19 am

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by faoileag »

OTHELLO
It is the very error of the moon,
She comes more nearer earth than she was wont
And makes men mad.
akerbeltz
Rianaire
Posts: 1781
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:26 am
Language Level: Barail am broinn baraille
Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
Location: Glaschu
Contact:

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by akerbeltz »

Dug a bit further now I'm back with my books. The second part actually means "at full moon", making the whole thing an elaborate excuse for her being bonkers due to the full moon - which isn't anyone's fault so nobody would be offended. A bit like the old-fashioned word moonstruck.
wulliam
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:36 pm
Language Level: Minimal
Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
Location: UK

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by wulliam »

Akerbeltz - that's excellent information - thank you! May I ask where you found that meaning?

William
akerbeltz
Rianaire
Posts: 1781
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:26 am
Language Level: Barail am broinn baraille
Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
Location: Glaschu
Contact:

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by akerbeltz »

The Dictionarium Scoto-Celticum under "full"
wulliam
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:36 pm
Language Level: Minimal
Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
Location: UK

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by wulliam »

Thank you - I can see it for myself on archive.org
I'm doing some amateur research with a friend - there is a faint chance we may publish at some point. If so, we'd want to acknowledge your help. Can you let me know your name, or should we just go with "Akerbeltz on foramnagaidhlig.net"?

Thanks again :)
William
akerbeltz
Rianaire
Posts: 1781
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:26 am
Language Level: Barail am broinn baraille
Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
Location: Glaschu
Contact:

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by akerbeltz »

Och chan e rùn a th' ann, it's no secret, my name is Michael Bauer :D
wulliam
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:36 pm
Language Level: Minimal
Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
Location: UK

An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??

Unread post by wulliam »

That's great - thanks again!
William
Post Reply