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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Food firm Nestle might well have bitten off more than it can chew with the announcement that condensed milk is being withdrawn from supermarket shelves because it is "no longer fashionable".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 most Scottish thing to say? ›
10 Scottish Sayings to Inspire Your Life
- 'Lang may yer lum reek! ...
- 3. ' ...
- 'Haud yer wheesht! '
- 'Dinnae teach yer Granny tae suck eggs! '
- 6. ' A nod's as guid as a wink tae a blind horse'
- 'Keep the heid! '
- 8. ' Wink at small faults, for you have great ones yourself' ...
- 9. ' Fools look to tomorrow, wise men use tonight'
If aforementioned hen was a particularly lovely looking girl, she might be referred to as a bonnie lass (pretty or beautiful).
What is the most famous Scottish word? ›
Take from this what you will, but 'dreich' has been voted the “most iconic” Scots word several times. In a sentence: “It's awfy dreich oot there the day.” In English: “It's awfully dreary outside today.”
Is Scottish tablet the same as fudge? ›
Some people will try to tell you that tablet is a form of fudge. However, proper tablet aficionados (and we have been doing a lot of sampling) will tell you that there is a clear difference in texture between tablet and fudge. Fudge tends to be softer, while tablet has a grainier and more brittle texture.
What does Geggie mean in Scottish? ›
noun. a Scottish, esp Glaswegian, slang word for the mouth.
What does Och Aye the Noo mean? ›
An archetypal example of an overt Scotticism is "Och aye the noo", which translates as "Oh yes, just now". This phrase is often used in parody by non-Scots and although the phrases "Och aye" and "the noo" are in common use by Scots separately, they are rarely used together.
What's a Scottish hello? ›
How do you say hello in Scottish Gaelic? 'Hello' in Scottish Gaelic is Halò. To say 'Good Morning' in Scottish Gaelic, we say Madainn Mhath!
What do Scots call friends? ›
Some people might say “mate”, although I think that's more common in England. “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 do Scottish people call their husband? ›
Dictionaries of the Scots Language:: DOST :: husband.
Bonnie. Pronounced bon-ee. Pretty or beautiful. A pretty young women could be described as “a bonnie lass”, an attractive man as “a bonnie lad”.
What is the most Scottish thing? ›
Tartan, the criss-crossed woollen fabric that's said to be unique to each ancient clan, is perhaps the most famous Scottish design.
What do Scottish people call the bathroom? ›
In the Scottish language, there are a number of words for toilet, such as bog and shunky, but cludgie is our favorite. This word is mainly used in and around Glasgow.
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.
What is a telly in Scottish slang? ›
Telly is a Scottish dialect. It is a Scottish word for the word TELEVISION - the talking box that “tells” you things.. Telly pronounced “tell-ee”.
What is a goon in Scottish slang? ›
Etymology 1
Gony was applied by sailors to the albatross and similar big, clumsy birds (circa 1839). Goon first carried the meaning "stupid person" (circa 1921).
