bit(2) - Hamely Tongue
Source: The Hamely Tongue: A Personal Record of Ulster-Scots in County Antrim
Author: James Fenton
Comments: ‘The Hamely Tongue’ has been widely acclaimed as the authoritative record of contemporary (surviving) Ulster-Scots in its heartland of County Antrim where James Fenton faithfully recorded his dictionary items among a network of other native speakers over a 30-year period. This searchable online version of his book takes its text from ‘Part One’ of the fourth edition of 2014 and includes over 3000 word entries. The book preliminaries, supplementary word lists and end matter have been excluded.
bit2 ~ a bit. a bit somewhat, to some degree (a bit tired; a bit on the dear side; a bit o a stranger). a bit o (as) at all (A didnae know a bit o ye I didn’t recognise you at all). bit o a lad something of a ‘fly’ man or playboy. bits o things one’s chattels (A suppose we may get wer bits o things thegither an go). bits o wains (see wain). naw yin bit changed not looking any older (despite the passage of time); no different in disposition (despite what has happened: e.g. an increase in fortune; having been caught and punished for an offence). the bit o (as in: Deil the bit o me. Deil tae the bit o me By no means did/will I, etc. Also the yin bit o). the bit oot incessantly (They fecht the bit oot); without restraint or limit (He drinks the bit oot). wee bit (see wee). whun it comes tae the bit when it comes to the ‘crunch’ (Whun it comes tae the bit they’ll rue as usual).
