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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TABLET, n. Also taiblet; ¶tablement. Sc. usage: a confection, composed of sugar, butter and flavouring, orig. a sweet of the candy sort but now of a firmer crisper consistency suitable for cutting into squares or tablets and sometimes made with sweet condensed milk, fudge (Ork., Cai., m.Sc. 1972; Sh., Ork., Cai., Bnff., Ags., Fif., Edb., Arg., Gsw., Ayr., Dmf., Rxb. 2000s); a square or chunk of this. [′tablət, ‡′te-]Sc. 1736 Mrs. McLintock Receipts 35:
To make Orange Tablets with the Grate. Grate the Oranges, take 2 lb. of Sugar, and a Mutchkin of Water, then clarify it with the White of 2 Eggs, and set it on a slow Fire, and boil it till it be almost candyed, then put in the Grate of the Oranges, and take white Paper, rub it with fresh Butter, pour it on your Paper, and cut it in little Pieces.Sc. 1747 Caled. Mercury (1 June):
Gellies, Marmalade, Tablets, Barley Sugar.Mry. c.1840 Lays & Leg. (Douglas 1939) 14:
Black-sugar, tablets, sugar candy, An' barley-sugar, clear as brandy.Sc. 1850 Mrs Dalgairns Practice Cookery 347:
Ginger tablet may be made in this way.Gsw. 1900 J. J. Bell Wee Macgreegor 1:
I want taiblet.Fif. 1909 J. C. Craig Sangs o' Bairns 125:
Dates or locust, grapes or figs, Tablement in bits.Gsw. 1980 Christine Marion Fraser Blue Above the Chimneys (1985) 54:
Kirsty, adept in the art of making tablet, shut herself into the scullery to stir delicious smelling concoctions till her arms ached. Sc. 1998 Sunday Times 12 Jul :
Real vanilla ice cream has ensured that visitors keep returning to Biggar, as does home-made tablet, fudge and chocolates. Sc. 2003 Scotland Magazine Jan-Feb 38:
If you are serving a lighter ice or mousse, proffer shortbread or tablet (Scottish fudge) alongside, for fear of denying Scots the opportunity to appease that confounded sweet tooth as often possible. Sc. 2003 Express 10 Mar 14:
Food firm Nestle might well have bitten off more than it can chew with the announcement that condensed milk is being withdrawn from supermarket shelves because it is "no longer fashionable". The move has infuriated sweet-toothed Scots, who claim Nestle's decision will force the extinction of treats like tablet and fudge.
FAQs
Tablet is occasionally referred to as Scottish or Scots tablet or as Swiss Milk tablet, since some people call condensed milk “Swiss Milk”. For most Scots, tablet is their favourite sweet, especially when home-made.
What is the best Scots dictionary? ›
Scots Dictionary: The perfect wee guide to the Scots language. A highly popular and informative guide to the Scots language in an attractive format. Contains words and phrases from both literary and everyday language, this is the perfect wee dictionary of Scots for native and non-native speakers alike.
What does Muckle mean in Scottish? ›
adj. 1. Of size or bulk: large, big, great (Sc. 1808 Jam.).
What does Meikle mean in Scottish? ›
mei·kle ˈmē-kəl. less common variant of mickle. chiefly Scotland. : great, much.
What is a very Scottish thing to say? ›
Scottish Sayings
Yer lookin' a bit peely wally – Meaning you look pale or ill. That's gee-in me the boak – A gross but classic Scottish expression one might use if something was making them feel sick! Gonny no dae that – Means please don't do that! Haud yer weesht – Is a not super polite way of saying 'be quiet'!
What is the Scottish slang for lady? ›
One of the most popular Scottish slang words is “hen,” referring to a young lady, and usually used as a term of endearment.
What do Scots call Scotland? ›
Alba (/ˈælbə, ˈælvə/ AL-bə, AL-və, Scottish Gaelic: [ˈal̪ˠəpə]) is the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland.
What do the Irish call the Scots? ›
We call them “the Scots”. Also “Them Scottish folk”, “Them'uns beyond in Scotland” and “Yer Scots wans.” In Irish it's “Albanach” (a native of Alba). Compared to some of the things the English call them (particularly the English newspapers) we're quite polite.
What does Geggie mean in Scottish? ›
noun. a Scottish, esp Glaswegian, slang word for the mouth.
What does Ken mean in Scottish slang? ›
Ken. Pronounced as written. Although it technically means 'know', some Scots will use it to punctuate their sentences till the point where it feels like it has lost all meaning. Often used in conjunction with 'ye' meaning 'you' and 'fit' which means 'what'. “Di ye ken fit like, y'ken”.
“Pal” might be used more often in Scotland, especially in the Glasgow area. Sometimes you'll hear “chum” as an alternative. In the Scots dialect it might be “freen” and in Scottish Gaelic it would be “caraid”.
What does ya bassa mean in Scottish? ›
"Ya bass" is generally taken as Glasgow slang for "you bastard", though it has been proposed it could be the Gaelic war cry aigh bas meaning "battle and die". Another Glasgow gang slogan was "Spur ya Bass" (this was the name of one of the two rival gangs from the Barrowfield area).
What does Auchter mean in Scottish? ›
Auchter Surname Meaning
Scottish: topographic name from Gaelic uachdar 'upland summit' or a habitational name from a place in Perthshire named with this word.
What's the difference between fudge and tablet? ›
Fudge tends to be softer, while tablet has a grainier and more brittle texture. We realised that 'grainier' and 'more brittle' don't usually sound like positives but in this case they most definitely are! Tablet is usually made with condensed milk, butter and sugar.
Why is it called a tablet? ›
You can also use the noun tablet to mean "writing pad" or "small computer with a touch screen." The earliest meaning of the word is "surface for inscription," the writing pads of the ancient world, which were made of stone, clay, or wax. The Latin root of tablet is tabula, "board, writing table, or list."
What is pish slang for Scotland? ›
v., intr. 1. As in Eng., to urinate; also tr. to wet with urine.Sc.
