Hello! Today I have some additional Scottish words for you, and I sent the list to our in-house expert, Mr. Stephen Gilmour. I removed some of the words he told me he didn’t recognize and others that were uncommon. I’m highlighting the ones he said are better than their American English counterparts.
Each word is defined, used in a sentence, and “translated” into English. This list was from Visit Scotland, but I can’t find the original link. That link is still nice, so I’ll leave it with you for travel planning. Cheers!
braw – excellent or pleasant
In a sentence: “It’s a braw day for a dauner.”
In English: “It’s a lovely day for a walk.”
dook – to dip in liquid, especially in water
In a sentence: “Dook yer haun in the watter an see if it’s cauld.”
In English: “Dunk your hand in the water and see if it’s cold.”
dreich – dreary, dull or gloomy
In a sentence: “It’s awfy dreich oot there the day.”
In English: “It’s awfully dreary outside today.”
glaikit – stupid, foolish or thoughtless
As well Glaikit
In a sentence: “Dinnae be so glaikit – dae something!”
In English: “Don’t be so thoughtless – do something!”
haver – to talk foolishly or to babble
In a sentence: “Awa – yer havering!”
In English: “Get away – you’re talking nonsense!”
Keek – a hasty look or a stolen glance
In a sentence: “Goan take a keek oot the windae.”
In English: “Go and have a quick look out of the window.”
sleekit – sly or cunning
Sleekit
In a sentence: “Wee, sleekit, cow’rin, tim’rous beastie.”
In English: “Small, sly, cowering, fearful animal.”
Weesht – to call for silence or to be quiet
In a sentence: “Wheesht!”
In English: “Be quiet!”
And now for the top-rated terms from Mr. Gilmour, and his reasoning.
oxter – an armpit
In a sentence: “Him there, wae the jaikit tucked in his oxter.”
In English: “That man over there, with the jacket tucked in his armpit.”
[Stephen: Oxter refers to a specific part of the body, not just a pit next to another part of the body. You wouldn’t call ears “head-hearers”
so why call an oxter an “arm-pit”?]
piece – a sandwich
In a sentence: “Canny believe that – av forgoat ma piece.”
In English: “I can’t believe it – I’ve forgotten my sandwich.”
[Stephen: Sandwich was a guy’s name; piece is much better. “What do you want on your piece? Turkey and avocado
piece, please!”]
shoogle – to shake or to wobble
In a sentence: “Jist gie it a wee shoogle and it’ll come loose.”
In English: “Just give it a small shake and it’ll come loose.”
[Stephen: Shoogle is neither shake nor wobble. It’s more like “grip and wiggle forcefully.”]
On that note, remind me to never ask you to shoogle our TV! Thank you for your expertise, Mr. G!
Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | Knowledge Enablement
Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com
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