Scotland. Are the Scottish different when it comes to language? Today I want to talk about 8 of my favourite uniquely Scottish words.

Wee

Meaning: little

This is one of my favourites! My grandparents are Scottish and when I was younger, they used to make me laugh by saying “In the name of the wee man!” whenever something shocking (or not really shocking – mock shock) would happen.

Ken

Meaning: know

Ken is one of those words that creeps up on you when you visit Scotland. You hear it and you think you’re mishearing it, then you hear it everywhere and you realise it must mean something!

Och aye

Meaning: yes

If you ask someone in Edinburgh where the toilets are and they say ‘aye’, please do not wee (oh yes, that means small now!) urinate on their eye…they’re just trying to help!

Related: 9 Reasons to Learn Scottish Gaelic

Bampot/eejit

Meaning: idiot

The Scots have a great way of talking about stupid people without sounding too rude. Bampot and eejit? I don’t think I’d be as offended as I would if someone called me a mother******* ******ing *****er.

Bonnie

Meaning: pretty

Such a cute word! Definitely not one to be offended by!

Tattie

Meaning: potato

On Burn’s Night in Scotland, you’d be treated to haggis (we all know what that is), neeps (turnips), and tatties (potatoes)!

Related: Language Stories: Back From The Brink – A Bonus Episode

Haver

Meaning: to babble

We’ve all heard this song, right? And we’ve all sung along something like “If I get drunk, well, I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you, And if I mhavmah?!”. Well now we know what it means! Yay!

Peely-wally

Meaning: pale

When you’re ill and you look ill, a Scot might describe you as peely-wally (and me too, I always use this one!).