Though English is the first language in Scotland, Scots and Gaelic have both played a vital part in shaping everyday language often used by citizens of Scotland up and down the country.
From everyday turns of phrase to cutting insults, Scottish slang is capable of being both poetic and humorous.
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Hide AdHere’s a starter glossary of essentials for anyone new to Scotland or anyone looking to reacquaint themselves with Caledonian colloquialisms
Compliments
Bonnie – beautiful
Braw – good looking
Failing means yer playin! – it’s the taking part that counts
Gallus – bold, daring, bordering on arrogant
Gie it laldy – Give it your best
Lang may yer lum reek – long may you live
Pure dead brilliant – very good
Tidy – beautiful
Every day objects and body parts
Claes – clothes
Geggi – mouth
Geks – glasses
Gutties – shoes
Heid – head
Lugs – ears
Tassie – cup
Yaks – eyes
Insults
All his eggs are double-yoakit – he’s full of rubbish
Awa’ an bile yer heid – translating as away and boil your head, this simply means ‘get lost’
Bampot – a mad idiot
Dafty – fool
Eejit – idiot
Fandan – pretentious idiot
Get tae – go away
Glaikit – stupid
Haud yer wheesht – be quiet
Heid-the-baw – idiot
Mink – dirty person
Roaster – someone being an idiot
Rocket – annoying or crazy person
Sook – soft
Walloper – idiot
Rude
Bahookie – one’s backside
Bawbag – scrotum
Bawhair – a pubic hair; typically used to indicate a very short distance
Cludgie – toilet
Bowfin’ – used for something that makes you want to be sick
Terms for being drunk
Blootered
Mad wae it
Oot yer nut
Pished
Rat arsed
Steaming
Miscellaneous
Hoachin’ – very busy
It’s a sair ficht for half a loaf – life is difficult
Jings – wow
Ken – to know
Nae danger – no chance
Patch – to ignore
Scunnert – bored, fed up.