Our recent bout of Covid was a lot harder on Bert, most likely because he had not availed himself of a booster jab. While I got over the worst of it in a couple of days he spent three days in bed with a fever and, when he eventually made it downstairs he was weak as a kitten and a pathetic-looking sight.
Actually, I don't know why people say 'as weak as a kitten' for if Pippin is anything to go by, kittens are as tough as old boots. Anyway, Bert was most intrigued to hear that he was looking peely-wally* as he enjoys any kind of attention and off he went to check himself out in the mirror.
Aye, he remarked
I am looking a bit cattered.
I say,
Cattered! What do you mean? I've never heard you say that before.
I say it all the time.
You do not! That's not even a word. You're making that up.
It is definitely a word.
I don't believe you.
Where's the book?
Where it always is.
He fetches it and lo and behold **cattered really is an Ulster-Scots word.
The book was a present from my sister 26 years ago and it is much used in this house.
*Peely-wally adjective pale and sickly-looking. [Scots, origin unknown.] Concise Ulster Dictionary, p 249
**Cattered adjective unhealthy-looking[Cf Scots cuiter "to pamper because of ill-health".] Concise Ulster Dictionary, p 57
