Bollan Bane—a herb still worn by the Manx on Tynwald Day to ward off evil.
Cabbyl Ushtey—(cavel ushta) the wild white horses of the sea that take riders below the waves. The riders can breathe if they are good; they drown if they are bad.
Cullyn—(coo-lin) archaic Manx for holly (modern Manx Gaelic uses hollin). I use it as a proper name to facilitate the story’s plot, but it isn’t used that way in the Isle of Man.
Isle of Man—a small island in the middle of the Irish Sea, between England and Ireland. Ancient name Mann, used here as an Old Magic name. Also affectionately known as Mona, or Ellan Vannin.
Lhiat myr hoiloo—(l’yat mer hohl-yu) an old Manx saying, meaning, “To thee as thou deservest.”
Manannan—Manx Celtic Sea-God. His full name is Manannan Beg Mac y Leir, which translates as Lord of Mannin, son of the sea. His name has appeared through the ages as Manannin, Manannan, Mananan, Manan, Mannin. Currently on the Isle of Man it is spelled Manannan.
Manx—the term used for people born on the Isle of Man and their cultural traditions, folklore and language.
Manx cats—a breed of tailless cats indigenous to the Isle of Man.
Moddy Dhoo—(mawtha doo) Black Dog.
Paitchey—(pay-chee) child.
Paitchyn—(pay-chin) children.
Pheric—(feric) a boy’s name. An early form of Patrick.
Runes—ancient Norse symbols comprised of straight lines that could be easily scratched into wood or stone. One of the earliest forms of accounting and writing. Some of the best surviving examples in the world are found on the Isle of Man.
Skeet—gossip, news.
Spooyt Vane—(spoot vairn) White Spout, the name of a waterfall in Glen Mooar said to have magical properties.
The Three Legs of Man—the island’s national heraldic symbol, seen in the center of the Manx flag and found on many buildings. The three legs, clothed in armor and joined at the thigh, are one of the forms Manannan takes when under threat.
Tramman Tree—the Elder tree.