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MAIRCH PITMIRK THIRL
Whiles it seems as if aw the auld Scots wirds are whirlin awa intil a pitmirk thirl but, on the ithir haun, new wirds are aye comin intae the leid. Gin chynge wisnae happenin the language wad be deid, but as lang as scrievers are comin up wi wirds as guid as this ane, Scots is alive and weel. Like scunner and glaikit and shilpit, this is ane o thae wirds that says muckle mair nor the Inglish equivalent. Whit daes it mean? Lets think aboot it. Pit is jist whit it looks like - a hole in the grund, wi a strang association wi the pit o Hell. Mirk is blecker nor bleck. Hoo bleck maun pitmirk be?
[Pit and thirl comes fae Auld Inglish and mirk comes fae Auld Norse] Mony thanks tae Colin Donati for this wird. Gin ye hear o ony guid new wirds, or gin ye can think o ony o yer ain -biggit on guid Scots foonds - contact wirds@scuilwab.org.uk. Ye micht like tae think aboot mobile phone for example (hae a look here for more ideas). |
As for thirl, ye hae twa in the middle o yer face - yer nose thirls! this is whaur the wird nostril comes fae. 