Whats In A Name?
Posted: Thursday, 28 September 2006 |
How to be confused in three easy lessons!!
On arriving in Orkney a year ago we found that some terminology for certain things were different. Like reference to the 'morns morn' being tomorrow morning etc.... What really confused Mr Barebraes and gave us both a good giggle was the converstions we had with a number of people. It went something like this:
We were asked by an orcadian what type of 'Spoots' we were having on the new house. Spoots?, Mr Barebraes enquired. Yes Spoots came the reply. The gentleman pointed to the gutters and muttered again 'yes Spoots' At once Mr Barebraes realised that the item we recognised as a gutter or drain pipe was called a Spoot. We both felt pleased with ourselves that we had learnt an orcadianism. this was filed away for reference.
A few days later we came across the same gentleman and Mr Barebraes enquired as to where the gentleman had been. He was informed that the man had been down to the local beach. 'Oh and what were you doing on the beach'? I was looking for Spoots came the reply Spoots ? Mr Barebraes did a double take and in a rather sheepish voice enquired ; You find spoots on the beach?
'Of course came the reply, and right tasty they are too' With a look of horror Mr Barebraes not wanting to sound incredibly stupid mentioned the conversation a few days earlier regarding the gutters . Oh No came the reply you get Spoots on the beach and after thinking about it the gentleman explained that Spoots were also Razor fish and were very tasty pan fried in butter.
So you see this information was once again filed away and the confusion subsided until................
On a course for the firestation Mr Barebraes was in a hotel in Inverness with a fellow orcadian and after asking if his colleague required a drink was told yes please ' I will have a Rum and black spoot'
Here we go again ....
it is also known as Coke.
SPOOTS SPOOTS SPOOTS
Whatever next !!!!
On arriving in Orkney a year ago we found that some terminology for certain things were different. Like reference to the 'morns morn' being tomorrow morning etc.... What really confused Mr Barebraes and gave us both a good giggle was the converstions we had with a number of people. It went something like this:
We were asked by an orcadian what type of 'Spoots' we were having on the new house. Spoots?, Mr Barebraes enquired. Yes Spoots came the reply. The gentleman pointed to the gutters and muttered again 'yes Spoots' At once Mr Barebraes realised that the item we recognised as a gutter or drain pipe was called a Spoot. We both felt pleased with ourselves that we had learnt an orcadianism. this was filed away for reference.
A few days later we came across the same gentleman and Mr Barebraes enquired as to where the gentleman had been. He was informed that the man had been down to the local beach. 'Oh and what were you doing on the beach'? I was looking for Spoots came the reply Spoots ? Mr Barebraes did a double take and in a rather sheepish voice enquired ; You find spoots on the beach?
'Of course came the reply, and right tasty they are too' With a look of horror Mr Barebraes not wanting to sound incredibly stupid mentioned the conversation a few days earlier regarding the gutters . Oh No came the reply you get Spoots on the beach and after thinking about it the gentleman explained that Spoots were also Razor fish and were very tasty pan fried in butter.
So you see this information was once again filed away and the confusion subsided until................
On a course for the firestation Mr Barebraes was in a hotel in Inverness with a fellow orcadian and after asking if his colleague required a drink was told yes please ' I will have a Rum and black spoot'
Here we go again ....
it is also known as Coke.
SPOOTS SPOOTS SPOOTS
Whatever next !!!!
Comments
Have an enjoyable weekend. Do you have to go to Kirkwall to buy the feed for the spoiled ducklings and other animals?
mjc from NM,USA
Well, as a southerner I can see where the drainpipe and razorfish resemblance originates if you attempt to put an Scottish twang on the word spout - as in the one that ol' Incy Wincy Spider climbed up. But coke ??? I have no idea so I'm relying on someone to post the logic behind that one (as I'm sure you are too). Thanks for adding the map too Mum - the work bunch now realise what I'm on about when I say that you're in the middle of the L shaped one now! xx
The Daughter from Sunny Southend
That coke does not have fizz (looks as dead as the razor fish). Is it genuine?
mjc from NM,USA
Lady MacBeth, being Scottish, actually said "Oot oot damn spoot." She was, at the time, trying to wrest a razorfish from it's shell and not, as implied by Just William, remove blood from her hands. She was a much maligned wumman and was, in fact, the Fanny Craddock of her day.
Flying Cat from a shakesperian tome
forsooth dear flying cat what light doth shine from yonder window. The lady doth protest too much, methinks. TA cook or not a cook that is the question? The coke was flat mjc as flat as the razor fish and as sharp as my humour
Barebraes from Shapinsay
Fanny Haddock? Beyond my Ken. Ole Lady MacBeth was not so much a cook as a crook who would not let her poor husband (all he wanted was to install an anemometer) off the hook until he committed foul murder by the (what else, do you think?) book.
mjc from NM,USA
Ken Hommmmmmmmmmm........Zen Cookery.
Flying Cat from cookerybook cupboard
We moved here in September 05 and have met many good friends. What more could you want from life.
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