How to Understand Scottish Slang

Last Updated: March 7, 2023 References

Many visitors to Scotland are confused and intimidated by the unique Scottish slang words — not to be confused with the Scots dialect; which is legally a language in its own right. To make things even more confusing, each region has their own variations of common words, such as "bairn" in Edinburgh and the Lothians or "wean" in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. (Both mean "small child.") Whether you're traveling to Scotland or just curious about some unique regional color, learning Scottish slang will likely bring a smile to your face.

Steps

1
Learn the basics:^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Aye - Yes
- Nah, Nut (the letter t is silent), Nae, Naw - No
- Alright?, Awright? - How are you?/Hello
- Nowt, Nuttin (pronounced "nu-hin"), Heehaw - Nothing
2
Learn some phrases:^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Whit ye up to the day? - What are you doing today?
- Craic the day? Hows it gaan? Fits the craic? - What are you doing today?
Advertisement
3
Learn some slang:^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Ned - Slang for a youth with problems (Non-educated delinquent) normally an outspoken cheeky teenager (referred to as hoodies, troublemakers or hooligans in other parts of the UK.)
- Sound, eh - Great
- Slaters - Wood lice
- Braw, fandabbydosy, brulliant, it's a belter - Great (or pretty)
4
Say some more stuff:^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Ye ken, no whit ah mean - You know, do you know what I mean
- A cannie mind, ma heids away - I can't remember/think
- Dinnae - Don't
- Wit, Eh? - What
- Bairn, rugrat, wean - Baby or young child
- Mankit, manky, reekin, mauchit (pronounced "mokkit"), clatty - Dirty
- craw - Crow (can also be used offensively, ie - look at that craw = look at that rough person)
- stotter - someone who looks in a state normally used to refer to a drunkard who is wandering aimlessly about and stoating.
- sassenach - A specific offensive word used against the English, or used to anyone not agreeing with your point of view not normally used towards English as stating they are English is normally offensive enough for Scots.
- Coo - cow
- Dug - dog
- baw - ball
- eejit - Someone who is an idiot
- the dole - unemployment benefits/welfare checks
- drookit, ringing - soaking wet
- aw ya bawbag - you're a dick, actually translates as Excuse me, you scrotum ! However this can also be said to a friend, meaning I have not seen you in a long time how are you doing?
- At ma hoose/ma bit/ma gaff - in my house or flat (apartment)
- gimme ma haunbag, gies the hingie, gies the didgerydoodah - pass my bag, give me that thing, give me the.......
- yir aff yir heid - you are off your head meaning you are insane, not understanding or just plain stupid.
- gies yir patter, or gies yir banter - let me hear you say things in a local dialect that I can find amusing.
- heid bummer- person in charge
- get up yon close - go up the stairs
- gutties, snibs, reekers, trannys, paki 2 bobs - meaning training shoes or plimsole
- wheres yir wallies - where are your false teeth
- it's Baltic, brass monkeys, blue balls - it is very cold outside
- chibbed, dun in, a kickin, leathered, skudded, battered, smacked good looking - you are about to get beaten up
- wheesht - please be quiet
- skelf - splinter (can be used to describe anything appearing rather thin and smaller than counterparts.
- yir a skelf - you are very thin
- awrighty troops, awright muckers - hello everybody (who are your friends)
- it's a belter, top quality, its smashin - it is very good
- am goin a donner - I am going for a walk
- blether, natter - having a chat
- get a grip, get a haud o yirsel - Calm down and amend the way you are thinking
- you fancy a cuppa - would you like to go and get a cup of tea/coffee
- wits oan the box - what is on the television
- gies a break - please leave me alone
- ah want a bag of crisps - I would like a bag of potato chips/slices
- Am gaun for a chippy - I am going to the fish and chip shop
- Chips - like French fries but thicker and greasier (throughout the UK, not just Scottish)
- Sweets - general British term for what the Americans call candy. If you want to sound more Scottish, call them "sweeties".
- bevvy, - having an alcoholic beverage
- roon ma bit, ma gaff, - around the area where I live
- an empty - an unexpected absence of parents where teenagers are left unattended and throw a party
- a kipper - two faced and gutless person or a smoked haddock
- yir nabbed - you have been caught
- getting jumped - meaning you will be attacked later, or have a sexual encounter.
- Elvis impersonator - drunken man found at 3.00am outside every dance hall in Glasgow millions have seen them.
- poaching - stealing animals or fish illegally... or cooking eggs
- nicking, nabbing, lucky dip - stealing
- blues and twos, checkers, bizzies, pigs, polis, scum, grunters, I smell bacon, paddy wagon, meat wagon, black maria (dated) - police and their vehicles
- windae licker - meaning a person who is very special and requires alternative transport rather than mainstream
- crack me up - meaning to laugh a lot or drive insane
- It's a riot, rammy, randan, dogs bollocks, bees knees, top banana, off the chain - highly infectious fun
- bampot, eidgit, twat, feckwit, divvy, heidbanger, heidcase - all meaning idiot of the highest level
- dinked - meaning to be hit with a glass bottle over the head
- tealeaf - meaning thief, burglar
- five finger discount - stealing
- ony, onywhere, onyway - meaning any, anywhere, anyway
- whit the **** - meaning : What is happening? Why is this not working? What is going on? You cannot be serious?
- Foos yer doos? - How are you?/What's up?

Community Q&A

Question

What do Scottish people mean when they say "You alright there, pet"?

Community Answer

"Pet" is the equivalent of "honey" or "sweetheart." It is a form of endearment. They are basically asking "Are you alright there, sweetie?" or "Are you doing okay there, dear?"
Question

What does "sonsie" mean?

Community Answer

Pretty like a rose-complected farm girl. Not regal looking, but bonnie nonetheless.
Question

What is a toilet called in Scottish slang?

Community Answer

It's called a cludgie. It's not advised you use it with formal company.

Warnings

Most Scottish people consider Scots to be a dialect of English, it is not considered an individual language. For this reason, some Scottish people may be offended if you overuse Scots slang.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1