A Wee Guide to Scottish Slang

Scotland is proud of being different. Take a look at our history, our politics, our national dress, our food, or our music and you’ll find we’re a nation that delights in doing things our own way. But what sets us apart more than anything is the way we speak – not just our accent, but also the unusual words and expressions we use every day.

Many of the words commonly used in modern Scotland are borrowed from Scots, a 600-year-old language of Germanic origin. But it’s important to note that while some words can be heard all over the country, each region of our tiny nation has its own special way of speaking. And if you head to the north-east of the country, chances are you’ll be more confused than ever!

Up there, locals speak something called Doric. Some say it’s a dialect, others claim it’s a language in it’s own right, but one thing’s for sure – it’ll be unlike anything you’ve ever heard before.

The most common greeting in Aberdeen is Foos yer doos? And the literal translation is…how are your pigeons? The usual response to the question would be Peckin’ awa’, literally meaning, pecking away, but translating as fine, thanks!  But be warned, in Aberdeen the word fine can mean okay, glorious, delicious or gorgeous, depending on the context and the intonation.

Head even further north and you’ll start to see strange combinations of letters on the road signs and street names. This is Scottish Gaelic, the ancient language now spoken by around 60,000 people in the country. Very little Gaelic has made its way into general use, with one notable exception – and if you’re only going to learn one phrase during your trip to Scotland, this should be it. Sláinte Mhor, pronounced slan-jay-voh, means Good Health, otherwise known as…Cheers!

Article written by Sarah Wyland

Sarah never gets in trouble for being on Facebook and Instagram at work, because its her job. As social media manager, she gets to tell the stories of travelers, teachers, and interesting places. Other titles she enjoys include dog mom to Knox, barre instructor, Crossfit athlete, avid reader, and world traveler.