Matt’s Reviews > Kidnapped > Status Update

“Robin Oig,” he said, when it was done, “ye are a great piper. I am not fit to blow in the same kingdom with ye. Body of me! ye have mair music in your sporran than I have in my head!

Do you know that you insult me?” said Alan, very low.
“I am sorry for that,” said I, “for I am not done; and if you distaste the sermon, I doubt the pirliecue will please you as little.

A purlicue primarily refers to the space or the distance between the extended thumb and forefinger. It is also occasionally used to describe a decorative flourish in handwriting or a summarizing review of a sermon.

The second night, or rather the peep of the third day,

So I did the next worst, and said nothing, nor so much as looked once at my companion, save with the tail of my eye.

Save with the tail of my eye.

On that first day, as soon as the collops were ready, Cluny gave them with his own hand a squeeze of a lemon (for he was well supplied with luxuries) and bade us draw in to our meal.

In Scotland, a collop is a thick or small slice of meat, or a portion of minced meat. The term is most famously associated with Scotch Collops, a traditional dish of thin slices or minced meat.

“David,” said Alan, “this is the kittle bit. Shall we lie here till it comes night, or shall we risk it, and stave on ahead?”

Kittle bit?! What does that mean?

Kittle is a predominantly British and Scottish term used primarily as an adjective to describe something that is tricky, ticklish, or unpredictable. It can also function as a verb meaning to tickle.

“Captain,” says Alan, “I doubt your word is a breakable. Last night ye haggled and argle-bargled like an apple-wife; and then passed me your word, and gave me your hand to back it; and ye ken very well what was the upshot. Be damned to your word!” says he.