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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!