Words » Hamely Tongue » naethin

naethin - 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.

naethin ~ nothing. come o naethin (a genealogical account). for naethin worn out; incapable of physical exertion (Frae I had that wee towt A’m for naethin); incompetent, useless (That boady’s for naethin); very cheap, a ‘gift’ (Sure at five poun it’s for naethin); for no reason, having no motive (They wurnae luckin ower the place sae lang for naethin, believe you me. A’m sure ye didnae get hut for naethin); for very poor wages, etc. (But sure irn’t they workin for naethin?). mak naethin o it (of a sick person) make no progress towards recovery. naethin’s naethin (a more comprehensive genealogical account). naethin worth nothing of any account (a wee grain o snow, but naethin worth).

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