Your Guide to Scottish Slang: Top 10 Phrases You Should Know

If you슬롯사이트�re about to embark on a Scotland study abroad adventure, it슬롯사이트�s a smart idea to familiarize yourself with the dialects, accents, and even varying languages spoken in this charming country, including popular Scottish slang words and phrases.  

Let슬롯사이트�s dive in as we explain some common Scottish slang you슬롯사이트�ll want to know before your travels!  

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Scotland 

What Are Some Slang Words in Scotland?  

There are quite a few Scottish slang words and, in fact, language in general has quite an interesting history in Scotland.  

Since the 18th century, the official language in Scotland is English, however, Scottish and Gaelic are still widely spoken throughout the country, so Scottish slang words tend to have three different language origins. And that also accounts for many different accents and dialects across the country. Cool, right?  

It슬롯사이트�s also worth noting that Scottish slang is pretty different than British slang words or other common phrases you might hear throughout the U.K. (But if you wanted to brush up on British slang too, you can check out our other blog: Top 20 British Slang Words and Phrases.) 

Read on for 10 popular Scottish slang words you should know!  

#1: Aye 

One of the easier Scottish slang words, aye means 슬롯사이트�yes.슬롯사이트�  

#2: Bonnie 

Bonnie means 슬롯사이트�beautiful,슬롯사이트� and is an old Scottish saying.  

#3: Gutties  

This refers to shoes or sneakers. For example, you슬롯사이트�ll need to make sure to pack your gutties when exploring the incredible streets of Glasgow.

Read More: Top 2 Best Places to Study Abroad in Scotland  

#4: Tassie  

This Scottish slang word means 슬롯사이트�cup.슬롯사이트� When studying abroad in Scotland, you might find yourself asking for a tassie of tea or a Scottish staple, like Scotch whisky.  

#5: Crabbit 

Crabbit is used to describe someone as grumpy or ill-tempered.  

#6: Hoachin슬롯사이트�  

Hoachin슬롯사이트� means 슬롯사이트�very busy,슬롯사이트� like you슬롯사이트�ll be during your Scottish study abroad adventure! Between fascinating coursework, on-foot explorations, and culturally immersive excursions, you슬롯사이트�ll definitely be hoachin슬롯사이트�.  

#7: Ken 

Ken means 슬롯사이트�know,슬롯사이트� or more typically, 슬롯사이트�you know?슬롯사이트� For example, when discussing the weather, you might tell a friend, 슬롯사이트�This weather is perfect for walking the Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail, ken?슬롯사이트� In some parts of Scotland, you슬롯사이트�ll even hear some Scots add the word 슬롯사이트�like슬롯사이트� after using 슬롯사이트�ken,슬롯사이트� just to make things more interesting!  

#8: Bampot 

This Scottish slang word is used to refer to someone as stupid or foolish.  

#9: Messages 

Far different than the meaning in the United States, 슬롯사이트�messages슬롯사이트� in Scottish slang actually refers to shopping for groceries. You might even hear people say, 슬롯사이트�Got the messages,슬롯사이트� referring to acquiring groceries. This one might trip you up from time to time 슬롯사이트� just remember, context is key!  

#10: Hen 

One of the most popular Scottish slang words is 슬롯사이트�hen,슬롯사이트� referring to a young lady, and usually used as a term of endearment.  

As you study some Scottish slang vocabulary, let슬롯사이트�s dive into the Top 10 Scottish slang phrases that will be helpful to know, too.  

What Is a Common Scottish Phrase?  

Like Scottish slang words, there are many different Scottish slang phrases. We슬롯사이트�ve listed some of the more popular (and fun) ones here!  

#1: 슬롯사이트�Haste ye back슬롯사이트� 

This means farewell or 슬롯사이트�return soon슬롯사이트� 슬롯사이트� we슬롯사이트�re sure all the Scottish friends you슬롯사이트�ll make during your study abroad adventure will be saying this to you at the end of your program!  

#2: 슬롯사이트�Haud yer wheesht슬롯사이트� 

This isn슬롯사이트�t the kindest Scottish slang phrase; it슬롯사이트�s a more forceful way to say, 슬롯사이트�Be quiet슬롯사이트� or 슬롯사이트�Shut up!슬롯사이트�  

#3: 슬롯사이트�Whit슬롯사이트�s fur ye슬롯사이트�ll no go by ye슬롯사이트�  

This is a nice phrase that loosely translates to, 슬롯사이트�What will be, will be.슬롯사이트�  

#4: 슬롯사이트�Yer lookin슬롯사이트� a bit peely wally슬롯사이트�  

Meaning, 슬롯사이트�You look pale or ill.슬롯사이트� It슬롯사이트�s a fun one to say, although the meaning is unpleasant.  

#5: 슬롯사이트�Gonnae no슬롯사이트� dae that슬롯사이트� 

This means, 슬롯사이트�Don슬롯사이트�t do that!슬롯사이트�  

#6: 슬롯사이트�Pure dead brilliant슬롯사이트�  

While these words are used in the United States, when put together, this Scottish slang phrase refers to something extraordinary or amazing. For example, you might describe seeing some Scottish landmarks with your own eyes as 슬롯사이트�pure dead brilliant.슬롯사이트�  

#7: 슬롯사이트�Am pure done in슬롯사이트� 

This Scottish slang phrase indicates, 슬롯사이트�I슬롯사이트�m very tired.슬롯사이트�  

#8: 슬롯사이트�Ma heid슬롯사이트�s mince슬롯사이트�  

When you say this Scottish phrase, you슬롯사이트�re saying that you슬롯사이트�re 슬롯사이트�pretty confused슬롯사이트� or 슬롯사이트�lost.슬롯사이트� There슬롯사이트�s also the phrase, 슬롯사이트�Yer heid슬롯사이트�s full o슬롯사이트� mince,슬롯사이트� referring to another person and roughly meaning, 슬롯사이트�you슬롯사이트�re not making a lot of sense.슬롯사이트�  

#9: 슬롯사이트�It슬롯사이트�ll be a skoosh.슬롯사이트� 

This means, 슬롯사이트�Don슬롯사이트�t worry,슬롯사이트� or, 슬롯사이트�This will be easy.슬롯사이트�  

#10: 슬롯사이트�Ah dinnae ken.슬롯사이트�  

A Scottish slang phrase meaning, 슬롯사이트�I don슬롯사이트�t know.슬롯사이트�  

Scotland is Calling

Bookmark this page and you슬롯사이트�re all set for your Scottish study abroad travels! But in all seriousness, being fully immersed in the language and culture will help you pick up Scottish slang words and phrases quickly 슬롯사이트� you슬롯사이트�ll likely come back to the United States saying a few of them yourself!  

Look through some of our exciting Scotland study abroad programs and decide which makes the most sense for your personal and academic goals (and of course, consider where you want to practice your Scottish slang the most):  

• Arts + Sciences (Strathclyde) in Glasgow
• Semester in Glasgow  

Scotland, and all its many slang words and phrases, is calling!  

EXPLORE SCOTLAND STUDY ABROAD  

Scots is a recognized language with a rich history and cultural significance. In this post, the term 슬롯사이트�slang슬롯사이트� is used informally to describe commonly used words and phrases you may hear while in Scotland. These expressions are valuable to know for everyday conversations and cultural understanding while traveling or studying abroad.