Scots, wha hae!
One thing I have found very interesting and quite humorous since starting at Johnston Smillie is the different dialects of certain words.
Sometimes people call the way I speak slang, they actually mean Scots, though they don’t know the name.
The thing I found hard to understand in school, was that in January we would spend weeks learning a Rabbie Burns poem but would then be discouraged to speak ‘slang’.
To me, dealing with clients on a daily basis, is very intriguing. I love to hear and read the different words or phrases used by many.
Although, I must admit, whenever I hear a broad Scottish accent, I feel a warm gust of relief that I don’t have to over exaggerate my words.
Growing up in Falkirk, I am used hearing ‘old scottish’ words and phrases. Such as ‘Haud yer wheesht!’ which I often heard from my grandma, while my brother and I would ‘dae each others heid in’
I never properly appreciated how many Scottish words or phrases I use and have then had to explain what they mean. Although I do use the excuse that my surname is to blame. What’s so special about 25th January anyway – I have a Burns supper every night!
I have noted below some of my favourite sayings showing the explanations of what they mean. As they say, “a nod’s as guid as a wink tae a blind horse”.
- Keep the heid! – Stay calm
- Haud yer wheesht! – Be quiet
- Yer aff yer heid – You’re off your head – a little bit daft.
- Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye! – What’s meant to happen will happen.
I hope this has brought a smile to your face on this dreich day – See ye efter.
