Skelf is the Scottish word for a splinter of wood, usually stuck in your finger but I suppose it could be anywhere on your body. I have noticed that this word is not used nearly as often as it used to be and people tend to be using splinter – which drives me nuts. Use it or lose it.
I was watching a T.V. programme about language a few years back and it mentioned that words beginning with ‘sk’ nearly always derive from Scandinavian words originally. So I suppose we have the Vikings to thank for this one.
It makes sense to me as my own surname begins with sk and although you won’t usually find my name in a list of Scottish surnames, it does appear in a list of ancient Scottish surnames deriving from Scandinavia.
I think spail was another word for a skelf. I’m sure we used that in Edinburgh – it’s ok, Ma was from Glasgow – but I’d use skelf now! Of course we also use the expression “built like a skelf” for someone very thin!
Evee,
I haven’t heard ‘spail’ it. I’m getting used to Edinburgh but it’s amazing how different the culture is from Glasgow and not often in a good way! Yes – built like a skelf – not so many people like that around now!
Skelf, like many Scottish words is Norse. Ie Scunner, Skite and Stoater.
Graeme Cumming,
Yes I believe that all of the ‘sk’ words/sounds were brought here by the Vikings, such as skirt, skill, score. My own surname dates from the Vikings – Skirving, – there aren’t many of us about, but it appears in the book of Ancient Scottish surnames. Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to comment.
Katrina