Phrases from Scotland

The following compiles phrases from Scots, from English that have a Scottish Gaelic origin, and
from English with use in Scotland of contemporary and/or historical usage.

TERM OR PHRASE MEANING

Away you go! As encouragement.1

Awright ya wee A form of endearment. “A bawbag being a scrotum.” Used between close
bawbag? friends. (“In the right context it is no more offensive than saying ‘Hello, how are
you my friend?’”)2

Bairn “Baby” or “child.”3

Barras A “market,” derived from the word, “wheel barrows.”4

Bidie-in “An unmarried partner, of either sex.”5

Bevvy “An alcoholic beverage.”6

Bonnie “Pretty or beautiful.”7

Braw “Good” or “brilliant”.8

Cannae “Can not.”9

Cèilidh (pronounced A “social gathering”, recently with dancing.10

Chief Alternate for “mate”, “dude”, and “fella”. (As in, “Awrite chief, wur ye aff tae
the night?”)11

Didnae “Didn’t.”12

Fit like?/Whit like? “How are you?”13

1
Emily Orr, interview by Arushi Grover, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States, February 28,
2022.
2
"Scottish Slang 1.0 (The Ultimate Guide to Help You Blend in North of the Border)," Highland Titles, last modified
2021.
3
"Appendix: Glossary of Scottish slang and jargon," Wiktionary, last modified December 12, 2021.
4
Ibid.
5
James A.C. Stevenson and Iseabail Macleod, "People Titles and Labels Parts of the Body," Scoor-oot : a Dictionary of Scots
Words and Phrases in Current Use, 2015.
6
"Appendix: Glossary," Wiktionary.
7
Ibid.
8
"Old Scottish Sayings, Scottish Words And Slang Your Granny May Have Used!," Scotland Welcomes You, last
modified September 13, 2021.
9
"Appendix: Glossary," Wiktionary.
10
"List of English words of Scottish Gaelic origin," Wikipedia, last modified August 17, 2021.
11
"Appendix: Glossary," Wiktionary.
12
Ibid.
13
Ibid.
 Go’an yersel’ As encouragement, “go on yourself.”14

Gonny no dae that! “Please don’t do that!”15

Hame “Home.”16

Havnae “Have not.”17

Haud yer wheesht “Stop talking.”18

​Haud yer weesht! A not-polite way of saying, “Be quiet!”19

Haw “A quick saying to get someone's attention, quicker than saying ‘hello’. (Haw, stop
ya bawbag!)”20

Hen A “term of endearment for a woman, equivalent to ‘love’ or ‘darling’ (How ye

Himsel(f) “An oblique way of referring to the principal person in any particular
circumstances—the master of a house, a farmer, an employer, and so on. ‘Is
himsel’ inside?’ It is also sometimes, with mock respect, used for the devil. A
woman in a position of authority may likewise be referred to as hersel.”22

Howzitgoan Greetings. (Howzitgoan pal? Huvnae seen ye in ages.)23

Jimmy “An egalitarian way of addressing a stranger: rather like the Australian mate. ‘Have
you the right time, Jimmy?’”24

Ken “To know.”25

Kirk “Church.”26

Lad/laddie “A boy or young man” (Aye, laddie!).27

Laldy “Attitude” (She gave ie laldy!).28

Lang mae yer lum reek As in, “long may your chimney smoke.” Wishing a long and healthy life.29

14
Orr, interview.
15
"Scottish Slang," Highland Titles.
16
"Appendix: Glossary," Wiktionary.
17
Ibid.
18
Ibid.
19
"Scottish Slang," Highland Titles.
20
"Appendix: Glossary," Wiktionary.
21
Ibid.
22
Stevenson and Macleod, "People Titles”.
23
"Appendix: Glossary," Wiktionary.
24
Stevenson and Macleod, "People Titles”.
25
"Appendix: Glossary," Wiktionary.
26
Ibid.
27
Ibid.
28
Ibid.
29
"Scottish Slang," Highland Titles.
 Lass/lassie “A girl or young woman.”30

Min/mannie “Mate” (Aw’right, min?).31

The morn “Tomorrow.”32

Noo jist haud on! “Now just hold on!” (As in, “take your time!”)33

Oan yer bike “Go away.”34

Oan yer trolley “Go away.”35

Pure dead brilliant “Amazing.”36

Quine A rare or, now, obsolete variant of quean; used for a girl, a young unmarried
woman.37

Quinie “Daughter.” (Ah have recently seen my quinie.)

Simmer “Calm down.”38

Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by “What’s meant to happen will happen.”39

Yer da “Your father.”40

Yer maw “Your mother.”41

Ye’re aff yer heid! “You’re off your head!”42

Yuptae? “What are you up to?”43

30
"Appendix: Glossary," Wiktionary.
31
Ibid.
32
Ibid.
33
"Old Scottish Sayings, Scottish Words And Slang Your Granny May Have Used!," Scotland Welcomes You, last
modified September 13, 2021
34
"Appendix: Glossary," Wiktionary.
35
Ibid.
36
"Scottish Sayings," My Voyage Scotland.
37
Stevenson and Macleod, "People Titles”.
38
"Appendix: Glossary," Wiktionary.
39
"Old Scottish Sayings, Scottish Words And Slang Your Granny May Have Used!," Scotland Welcomes You, last
modified September 13, 2021.
40
"Appendix: Glossary," Wiktionary.
41
Ibid.
42
Ibid.
43
Ibid.