AboutKaye McAlpine Expertise Lifecycle (birth, marriage, death) customs in Scotland, Early Modern Scottish social
customs, modern Scottish social customs, Border March laws and procedures, criminal
processes and judicial execution practices, social history in Early Modern Scotland,
ephemera printing in Scotland. While I have knowledge of the clan system and function of
the clan society (Highland and Lowland), I am not a an expert in clan genealogy.
Experience Freelance tutor in outreach courses from Edinburgh University on Scottish Culture and Tradition, including lifecycle customs, broadsheet ballads in Scotland, the traditional ballad and history. Freelance writer, guest presenter on Ch4 History Hunters programme, contributor to BBC Radio Scotland's 'Songlines' series on 'The Dowie Dens of Yarrow'. Currently co-director of amedia production company
Publications Books: Forthcoming - Compendium of Scottish Ethnology, chapter on The Traditional and the Border Ballad; The Harris Repertoire (2000, Scottish Text Society, co-editor), The Ballad in History (chapter on Border ballads). Journals include Folklore, The Review of Scottish Culture,Sottish Studies, and The Scottish Literary Journal
I was watching "Seasonally Scottish", a cooking programme on the Food TV in New Zealand. It is hosted by Claire McDonald. She referred to something as "terribly twyte and precious" My question is - what does 'twyte' mean? The meaning and origin of this word has really sparked my interest and I would really appreciate it if you could research its meaning.
Thank you.
Regards, Wendy
Answer Hello Wendy
I'm in two minds here. I'm trying to recall how Lady Claire MacDonald speaks - you see twyte is a Scottish word, but it's more or less obsolete. It means a reproach or censure.
However, does she have any sort of speech defect? Is 'twyte' actually 'trite'? This does make sense with 'precious'.
If this makes no sense - I haven't seen the episode - please just get back in touch.
