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Scots Scotland

dreich

Word USED Frequently BY Adults in Scotland

Dreich is used to describe weather that is overcast, drizzly, grey, misty, just not very nice. Very typical for Scotland.

"Have you seen the weather today? It's dreich, we won't be able to go ahead with that picnic we had planned."

Scots Glasgow, Scotland

Refuweegee

Portmanteau USED On Occasion BY Some People

Portmanteau of 'refugee' and 'Weegie' ('Weegie' being short for Glaswegian'). A term of affection for someone seeking refugee status in Glasgow, to make them feel a valued part of the community.

"Of course you're welcome here. You're a refuweegee now."

Confirmed by 2 people

Scots Scotland

We're a' Jock Tamson's bairns

Proverb USED On Occasion BY Some

(We are all Jock Tamson's children.) • An expression of mutual fellowship. Similar to "we are all God's children."

"I don't care what country you're from - you're welcome here. We're a' Jock Tamson's bairns."

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Scots Scotland

Haud yer wheesht!

Interjection USED Frequently BY Parents

(Hold your shush!) • "Be quiet!" Or "Shut up!". Generally used in situations where children or subordinates are talkative to the point of irritation or impracticality.

"Haud yer wheesht, else ah'll skelp ye one!"

"Be quiet or I shall administer corporal punishment."

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Scots Scotland

Yer aff yer heid!

Expression USED Very frequently BY Everyone bar young kids

When someone suggests doing something irresponsible or absurd, or perhaps when they say something crazy.

"am hinkin aboot gawn fur a wee dip in the watter, wanty come tae?" "Yer aff yer heid! It's pure stoatin doon oot ther the day"

"I'm thinking about going for a little swim in the water, do you want to come too?" "You're crazy! It's raining so much outside today."

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Scots Scotland

bawbag

Word USED Very frequently BY Most People

(n.) • A ball sack, someone who's a pure idiot.

"Shut yer weesht ya wee bawbag!"

"Shut up you small ball sack"

Scots Scotland

lang may yer lum reek

Idiom USED Frequently BY Almost Everyone

(long may your chimney smoke) • It is a toast given in celebration or as a farewell to someone. It is used to wish the person well.

“All the best in Australia mate, lang may yer lum reek!”

“All the best in Australia mate, long may your chimney smoke!”

Scots Scotland

many a mickle maks a muckle

Expression USED On Occasion BY Older Generations

(many small things make a big thing) • Many little things add up to a big thing, usually talking about small savings of money adding up to a large amount.

"Look, I found some money, oh, it's only a penny" "Put it in your piggy bank, many a mickle maks a muckle!"

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Scots | Doric Aberdeenshire , Scotland

fit like?

Standard Phrase USED Very frequently BY Almost Everyone

Used as a greeting, sometimes it means “how’s things?” And sometimes it just means hello!

"Fit like? Ach nae bad! Yersel?"

"How are things? Oh not bad! Yourself?"

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Scots Scotland

tae greet

Word USED On Occasion BY Most People

(v.) • Meaning 'to cry'

"Shut yer weesht an stop yer greetin ye eejit!"

"Shut up and stop crying, you idiot"

Confirmed by 4 people

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Scots | Doric North east, Scotland

aye aye

Expression USED Frequently BY Scots speakers

Used as an informal greeting. Hi.

"Aye aye, fit like i'day?"

"Hi, how are you today?"

Scots Scotland

Dinnae teach yer granny tae suck eggs

Idiom USED On Occasion BY Most People

(Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs) • Don't try to teach someone something that they already know; mansplaining. Your granny already knows how to suck eggs, there's no point in trying to teach her.

"You make tattie scones by..." "Pal, dinnae teach yer granny tae suck eggs! Av been makin em fair yonks?"

"You make potato scones by..." "Mate, don't teach your granny to suck eggs! I've been making them for years!"

Confirmed by 5 people

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Scots Scotland

yer bum's oot the windae

Expression USED On Occasion BY Some People

(Your bottom is out the window) • An expression used to call someone out when they are talking rubbish/ not telling the truth.

"not another wan pal, yer oot yer face!" "nah yer bum's oot the windae, I'm braw!"

"not another drink mate, you're really drunk!" "No, you're talking rubbish, I'm fine!"

Confirmed by 3 people

Scots Scotland

lang may yer lum reek

Proverb USED On Rare Occasion BY Older Generations

(long may your chimney smoke) • A Scots proverb wishing someone a long and healthy life, "Live long and prosper".

"See ya laters pal, lang may yer lum reek"

"Farewell, live long and prosper"

Confirmed by 3 people

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Scots Scotland

thunder-plump

Word USED On Rare Occasion BY Some People

(n.) • A sudden, thundery shower of rain.

"It's awfie dreich the day, a reckon we're in fer an unco big thunder-plump!"

"It's awfully grey today, I reckon there's a very big thunder-plump coming!"

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Scots Scotland

wee

Word USED Very frequently BY Almost Everyone

(adj.) • Meaning 'small' or 'little'. Can also be used to mean 'young'.

"Gie us a wee dram a' yer whiskey pal"

"Give me a small sip of your whiskey, mate"

Confirmed by 3 people