Skirlcrake is a Scottish term that describes the sound of a shrill, piercing noise, like a screech. The word consists of two parts, "skirl" and "crake". The first part, "skirl", is pronounced /skɜːrl/ and means to make a shrill sound. The second part, "crake", is pronounced /kreɪk/ and means to creak or croak. Together, "Skirlcrake" represents a noise that is both high-pitched and rattling, often compared to the sound of bagpipes or a rusty gate.