as dams
were the pieces with which the game of draughts was played (Fr. dammes).
Brod is board.
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. ecume, 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 " Durete.
Braw Fine " Brave.
Kimmer Gossip " Commere.
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
|