In 30 years time, when my brain cells are winking out one by one, & I’ve forgotten all the Welsh I ever knew, smwddio will remain in my memory because it sounds exactly like what it means.
And obligingly, what have the lovely Welsh people named that item of clothing that can never be worn straight from the clothes line, but always needs a good smwddio first?
More often than not this list seems to be chosen by how the words sound and not by meaning which I think is brilliant. Some that I love …
Fwyfwy
Ledled
Igam-ogam
Sboncen
Llyfrgell
Ffrwchnedd
Môr-forwyn
And thousands more probably. I love the sound of Cymraeg.
Some of my favourites - Is Cymraeg more onomatopoeic than other languages or am I imagining that? Or is it just because it’s impossible to avoid emphatic enunciation when you’re dealing with “ll” and “ch” and “dd”
breuddwydio - to dream
camgymeriad - mistake
rhatach - cheaper
gwylltio - to infuriate (to make wild!)
moethus - luxurious
There are so many that appeal to me, it is very difficult to choose. One particular favorite though is the phrase “canu yn aml”. The first time I heard it I thought it sounded like “candy apple” and that thought has delighted me ever since.
Well, igam-ogam has reminded me of “ling-di-long” or “linc-di-lonc” “leisurely” or “slowly” which is the best way of doing anything except perhaps trying to get served in a crowded bar…