I am always interested in word origins and recently came across the word "blatherskite." According to one book on word origins a "bladder skate" is a Scottish term for a type of fish called a skate (a type of ray) which has the ability to inflate or puff itself up when it feels threatened. So the term "bladderskate" came to be used for a person who is full of "empty, vainglorious talk" and later was altered to "blatherskite." The word is seldom used today in the parts of the U.S. and Canada that I'm familiar with.

Here's the interesting part, and the reason for starting this thread: The book also says that during the American Revolution when American soldiers gathered around their campfires at night they would sing various songs that they knew and adds, "Among the favorites was the Scottish song, 'Maggie Lawder,' one verse of which ran:

O wha wadna be in love wi' bonny Maggie Lawder,
A piper met her gaun to Fife and speir'd what was't they ca'd her;
Right scornfully she answer'd him, begone ye hallen shaker,
Jog on your gate, ye bladderskate, my name is Maggie Lawder."

I don't find anything about Maggie Lawder in doing a search on the Mudcat. Is anyone familiar with this song and/or know anything about it? Additional verses? How old is it? Who wrote it, or is it trad.? I know most of the Scottish words, but can anyone tell me what is meant by "hallen shaker"? The book says that the song "dropped out of memory" (in the U.S.) but the altered term "blatherskite" was retained in the language. Thanks for any info. anyone can provide about this song.

Reiver 2