Put this in your Paisley briefcase, ya wido

The terms likely to be included in the widely-respected authority on the English language range from the relatively well-known wido, through the offensive slang term fannybaws, to the obscure gems Easterhouse sou’wester and Paisley briefcase.

Collins say these and several other pejorative words and phrases have come to prominence thanks largely to television shows such as Chewin’ the Fat.

Andrew Holmes, a dictionary compiler for Collins, told Scotland on Sunday the publisher believed the slang terms were in common use across Scotland and should be included in its Collins English Dictionary as it attempts to be an accurate reflection of the way Scots speak.

The publisher is looking to include colourful terms such as bamstick and tube - both meaning a foolish person - and binraker - a person who scavenges for valuables through other people’s rubbish - for inclusion in the seventh edition of the Collins English dictionary, to be published in 2006.

Also under consideration are Paisley briefcase - slang for a plastic shopping bag - and Easterhouse sou’wester - a plastic shopping bag supposedly used as a rain hat.

The full list also includes wido (a rogue), pelters (abuse) and tracksuit ambassador (a youth clad in leisurewear).

Holmes said: "The words noted are common on the streets of the west of Scotland. TV and radio programmes such as Chewin’ the Fat, Still Game, Off the Ball and Onside have recently brought these words to a wider audience. That is why they have come to the attention of the lexicographers."

A Collins research team based all over Scotland will log all appearances of the words in newspapers, on television and radio over the next three years to seek evidence for their widespread use.

The researchers will also note every time they hear or overhear the words being used in conversation.

But civic leaders in Easterhouse and Paisley reacted with horror at the prospect of their areas being immortalised on the page in this fashion.

Jim Coleman, the deputy leader of Glasgow City Council and chairman of the Greater Easterhouse project, which is revamping the once-notorious scheme, said he challenged the notion that Easterhouse sou’wester was a commonly-used phrase.

Coleman said: "The thing about Glaswegians is that we are prepared to laugh at ourselves but I must admit I have never heard that expression."

He added: "There is a serious side to this. Collins are just feeding on old outdated ideas about Easterhouse that are rooted in the 1960s and bear no resemblance to reality.

"They are well out of date and out of touch. Easterhouse is going to have houses worth up to 100,000 built in it over the next few months, and I can’t see anyone in a 100,000 house recognising that kind of stereotype."

The new denizens of Easterhouse were more than able to afford a proper umbrella, he said.

Bruce Lawson, a SNP councillor from Paisley, was similarly aggrieved over the possible inclusion of Paisley briefcase.

"This could really harm the image of the town," he said. "I will be writing to Collins to ask what they are up to on this one. Paisley has suffered some bad publicity in the past but things are getting much better now, and we don’t need this kind of thing."

Those arguments cut little ice with Holmes, the compiler.

"We are not going to censor ourselves or make political judgments. If it is being said frequently, then that is our test."

Other Paisley figures were more sanguine. Jim Mitchell, another SNP councillor in the town, said: "I have a Paisley briefcase. I often use a plastic bag to carry council papers around, because if it bursts, I can get another one cheaply. I think most people in the town will take this in a light-hearted fashion."

Dr Jane Stuart-Smith, a lecturer in linguistics at Glasgow University, said the latest wave of west coast slang grew out of a "strong verbal culture" in the city.

"The heavy industries might have gone but there is a distinctive Glasgow culture," she said. "People here seem to have more fun in life, and that comes across in a sense of playfulness with language. They have a very black sense of humour that expresses itself in their language and allows them to laugh at things much more."

Both Ford Kiernan and BBC Scotland were delighted by the prospect of official recognition.

Kiernan said he was proud Collins were looking at phrases such as wido, tube and fannybaws, all of which he had used in his shows. "Once these words are in the dictionary, it is indelible," he said.

"The programmes can go and everyone might forget about us but the dictionary will include the words we used. I’m well-chuffed."

Kiernan said Glaswegians were more verbal. "We are more prepared to speak up when we have no idea what we are talking about.

"My family had a word for it - slabbercabbage. It means talking nonsense.We’re quite good at that."

The comic said he and his writing partner Greg Hemphill had mimicked Glaswegian speech in slogans such as "Gonnae no do that". But he was adamant they could claim parentage of one term to describe an effeminate man Collins is looking at including. "Fannybaws is one of ours. We just made that one up."

Say that again

wido [wide-oh] NOUN Scot, slang, a rogue

bamstick [bahm-stick] NOUN Scot, slang, a foolish person

binraker [bin-rake-er] NOUN Scot, slang, a person who scavenges for valuables

pelters [pel-tirz] PLURAL NOUN Scot, to give someone pelters, to criticise: John Underhill got pelters from fans

fannybaws [fan-nee-boz] NOUN Scot, offensive slang, a weak or effeminate man.

tracksuit ambassador NOUN, a mock politically correct term suggested as a response to a Socialist MSP who thinks the word ‘ned’ is offensive and should be banned.

Paisley briefcase NOUN Glasgow jocular slang, a plastic shopping bag. [An allusion to the alleged poverty of the citizens of Paisley]

Easterhouse sou’wester NOUN Glasgow jocular slang, a plastic shopping bag used as a hat during a rain shower. [An allusion to the alleged poverty suffered by the residents of Easterhouse, a Glasgow housing scheme]