Learn Important Scottish Slang
This is a very informative blog. It shall be ‘pure’ helpful to use during your trip to Edinburgh.
Let us know if you have learnt anything new in these terms, there’s plenty where that came from.
We’ll look forward to hearing your best Scottish accents at check-in!
Haud yer wheesht
Meaning: Be quiet
Example: ‘Oi haud yer wheesht, will ya?’
Translation: ‘Hello, can you please be quiet’
Auld
Meaning: Old
Example: ‘Happy Birthday, Yer getting auld noo’
Translation: ‘Happy Birthday, You are getting old now’
Bairn/We’an
Meaning: Baby, Small child
Example: ‘Aw, look et the bonnie wee bairn’
Translation: ‘Aw, look at the beautiful little baby’
Oot
Meaning: Out
Example: ‘Am gawn oot the night, you keen?’
Translation: ‘I’m going out tonight, would you like to join me?’
Banter
Meaning: Thrilling conversation, witty repartee or wisecracks.
Example: ‘You have braw banter, pure good chat.’
Translation: ‘You are really funny, not boring to talk too’
Aye
Meaning: Yes
Example: ‘ Aye, geez us twa pints o bitter’
Translation: ‘Yes, can I please have two pints of Pale Ale’
Isnae
Meaning: Isn’t
Example: ‘That isnae right, I dinnae kin why’
Translation: ‘That isn’t right, I don’t know why’
Braw
Meaning: Good
Example: ‘That’s pure braw haggis, neeps and tatties’
Translation: ‘That is very good haggis, turnip and potatoes’
Bosie
Meaning: To hug or embrace someone
Example: ‘C’mere, do you need a wee boise?’
Translation: ‘Come over, would you like a hug?
Ken
Meaning: To know
Example: ‘Dae you ken wit am sayin?’
Translation: ‘Do you know what I mean?’
Mawkit/Clerty
Meaning: Dirty
Example: ‘Yer troosers are pure mawkit’
Translation: ‘Your trousers are very dirty’
Loon/Laddie
Meaning: A young man
Example: ‘Fit a braw laddie, affy peely-wall though’
Translation: ‘What a great gentleman, very pale though’
Quine/Lassie
Meaning: A young woman
Example: ‘She’s a bonnie lookin’ quine’
Translation: ‘She’s a beautiful young woman’
Dogs Dinner
Meaning: Messy
Example: ‘Ma hair is a dogs dinner, its blowing a hoolie ootside’
Translation: ‘My hair is very messy after that wind outside’
Yaldi
Meaning: Excitement or joy
Example: ‘It’s Friday, lets gan yaldi!’
Translation: ‘It’s Friday, let’s go wild!’
Scran
Meaning: Food/Snacks
Example: ‘I’m awa for the messages, I’m pure hank marvin for some scran’
Translation: ‘I’m away to the supermarket, I’m very hungry for food’
Steamin’/Off Yer face
Meaning: Drunk/Tipsy
Example: ‘I’m barry steamin, tae much whisky’
Translation: ‘I’m very drunk, I’ve had too much whisky’
Dinnae Kin
Meaning: Don’t know
Example: ‘I dinnae kin, ma heid’s mince’
Translation: ‘I don’t know, I’m a little mixed up’
Baltic
Meaning: Cold temperatures
Example ‘It’s barry baltic, geez us yer tammy’
Translation: ‘It’s very cold, can I borrow your hat?’
Ye make a better door than a windae
Meaning: I can’t see past you
Example: ‘Oi loon, ya make a better door than a windae’
Translation: ‘Excuse me sir, I cannot see past you, would you mind moving
If you know any useful slang, don’t forget to share them in the comments below!
