Perthshire Gaels

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BigSweetie B
BigSweetie Sep 13, 2005 22:24:45
Replying to The Eternal

> What a variation in meaning - from nun to witch

not really, if you consider one of the translations is "the veiled one" - both nuns and witches (traditionally) wore cloaky-type outfits that would account for the veil descritption

Gaelic can be equally vague and specific. for example, a bit like the Eskimos and their words for snow, there are loads of Gaelic words for hill, each of them referring to a specific kind of hill. so much so that to try and describe the specifics in English might take a long-winded sentence, but in Gaelic it takes just one or two word :)

Cheers
Andy

F FourWinds
FourWinds Sep 13, 2005 23:35:25
Replying to BigSweetie

I actually think the calliagh name may have applied to the priestesses of the Hag too. So, when the nuns took their place (especilly when at the foot of Her hill) the name was transfered.