Help: Scotch Fiddle

Subject: Scotch Fiddle
From: GUEST,EJ
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 07:58 PM

What is the meaning of the phrase "Scotch Fiddle", as used in an Anne of Green Gables book? Thanks for your help.EJ

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 08:45 PM

Hmmm...presumably, fiddle played in the Scottish style.  Mind you, I've not read the "Anne of Green Gables" books, though I did see a lovely Canadian television adaptation a few years back.  "Scotch" is a rather old-fashioned term nowadays, and usually only used when referring to alcohol, soup or sweeties ("candy" in the US).   I'm sure that others will add to this.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: sophocleese
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 09:04 PM

Whereabouts in the book is it used? I can't remember it and can't find my copy of it either.

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 11:21 PM

Cured in Lagavullin? couldn't resist, GRIN

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 16 Apr 00 - 11:28 PM

Well, not the instrument; but the player most certainly, when possible...

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: GUEST,cr
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 11:47 AM

I've read the book - it's in Rainbow Valley, for those curious as to where, in the chapter "Tit for Tat" - no modern implications. Did a little research myself, and it looks like it's a skin condition - itchy rash idea, maybe something like scabies.

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: GUEST,oaktree
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 12:14 PM

In the book "Caledonian sketches, or A tour through Scotland in 1807: which is prefixed an Explanatory address to the public upon a recent trial" by Sir John Carr the "Scottish fiddle" or "Caledonian Cremona" is the itch: facsimile.

Also: http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/12667

:-)

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:14 AM

Ha, just reading that myself! According to my research over the past 10mins (yay internet) it is a rash caused by either crabs or eating too much oatmeal. Since I can't imagine LMM mentioning the former, I think it must be like scurvy.

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 04:00 AM

Well, if it was a fiddle player with an itch, jumping about, wouldn't it be a Hop Scotch Fiddle?



I'll get me hat ....

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 08:08 AM

Don't forget 'Scotch mist' Malcolm.

Rog

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: GUEST,Olly
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 01:31 PM

Surely it should be scots

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: GUEST,Tia via urban dictionary
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 06:48 PM

Scotch fiddle.... Itch caused by crabs, or scabies

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: GUEST,Ebor.Fiddler
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 07:43 PM

"Scotch" is merely one of the Scots pronunciations of "Scottish"! Hopscotch? Butterditto?

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: GUEST,Ebor Fiddler
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 03:16 PM

Oh, and my wife's just given me a scotch pie which she bought in Grainger Market in Newcastle from a stallholder who has them specially smuggled ........... ... ..

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: GUEST,guest:
Date: 06 Jul 11 - 11:28 AM

The character speaking the words does not know what this phrase means as is noted in the book. The adult in the scene does know what it means and says he had the 'scotch fiddle' as a boy and does not want it again. Still not sure what it is. Perhaps chicken pox?

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle Follow up
From: GUEST,tlsjay99
Date: 06 Jul 11 - 11:38 AM

Follow up on previous post: It may indeed be a scabies reference. Scabies is a condition that comes from a skin mite, is highly contagious, and can affect anyone at any age. Starting on hands or feet it can spread to other parts of the body. Today's hygiene practices help avoid this condition and it's spread

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 06 Jul 11 - 11:52 AM

Urban Dictionary defines: "The itch caused by crabs." I guess the arm movements when scratching resemble folkloristic bowing ("legato is a foreign word").

Yes, whisky may help, applied internally in high dosis.

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: Artful Codger
Date: 06 Jul 11 - 09:37 PM

Applying it externally in high doses might be more curative.

Or cause the crabs to trash your trousers brawling.

Subject: RE: Help: Scotch Fiddle
From: gnomad
Date: 07 Jul 11 - 02:05 AM

Nah, AC, for a cure you need to apply sand as well....the crabs get soused and kill each other by hurling rocks.

Never encountered the term as originally queried. Maybe that can be today's new thing I learned.