Kyara's Wee Scottish Page.

This wee site is fairly growing! So grab a wee cup of tea, make yourself comfortable, and enjoy!

If you're planning a trip to Scotland this page will give you a few pointers.

Scotland, like any country has her own cliches, figures of speech, idioms, expressions and local vernacular.

If you visit Scotland you'll be surprised to find that some of the cliches from North America have

the opposite meaning over there, and vice versa. Just a few are below for example.

I hope these tips will help you enjoy your trip.

If you intend visiting the West of Scotland, here are a few wee translations that will help you out :)

You're speaking too quickly = gauny slow doon a wee bit.

The most important thing to remember that they drive on the opposite side of the road - so reverse your kerb-drill and look the opposite way first!

Make sure that you do not drive on the pavement while in Scotland, as the pavement is the sidewalk!

If you have the oil checked in your vehicle, you'll be asked to open the bonnet which is the hood .

If you want french fries ask for chips .

If you want potato chips ask for crisps. If you ask for chips you'll be given a bag of french fries.

Soda is called ginger or a soft drink in Scotland. Pepsi and Coke are the same in both countries. However, if you want Seven-Up ask for lemonade, and you'll have to request ice, soda isn't served automatically with ice.

If biscuits are offered with your tea, this means cookies, not the biscuits you are used to having with gravy in the US.

Cookies are a soft bun with cream inside.

This one is for the ladies, if you are speaking to someone, and they call you 'hen' this is a term of endearment, akin to 'honey' in the States.

If you are asked if you are 'here for your holidays' this means 'are you on vacation'

Pants are called trousers or slacks in Scotland, if you say pants people will think you're talking about your underwear! Yes really, pants are underwear.

If someone tells you their children attend public school this means they are attending private school

A mince pie is not a sweetmeat, but a ground beef mixture in a pastry.

A dumpling is a sweet fruit cake made with raisins and spices, and not a doughball.

You may hear someone refer to another person as a 'dumpling', this would imply that the other party was more than a wee bit dense.

Basin not a place to dock a boat, but a washbowl in your bedroom.

If you need an eraser ask for a rubber!

A cot is not a soldier's bed, but a baby's crib.

Pram shortened version of perambulator, is a baby carriage.

Dummy Tit is not a false breast but a baby's pacifier .

Nappy , not a napkin, for wiping your mouth, but a diaper!

If you need a napkin ask for a serviette .

Close , not meaning near, but meaning the entrance to a tenement building, or dwelling place of several floors.

Another meaning of close , is very muggy , this would be in reference to the weather, and when it's muggy (humid) in Scotland it usually means there's a thunder storm about to arrive.

Doughballs , made with flour and water, would be what you call dumplings

A plot is not a discriminatory act, but a piece of land to grow vegetables.

A lane is a path, not a part of the highway .

Gummy does not mean sticky, but means a kiss

The Kilt is a garment worn by members of Scottish Clans, it is not a skirt .

Poke does not mean to prod, it is a paper bag . An order of french fries to go would be called a poke of chips.

Steamboats does not mean ships driven by steam, but it refers to someone who is thoroughly and absolutely intoxicated .

Hurl does not mean to throw, it means to get a ride in a car .

Fanny does not mean your bottom, it is a derogatory word for the female private parts . Be aware that 'fanny packs' are called 'bum bags' in Scotland!

Give me a ring does not mean I wish to become engaged, it means, call me sometime .

Being knocked up does not mean being pregnant, it means someone will waken you at a designated time.

Knickers are not knee britches they are panties!!

If you need a flashlight ask for a torch .

A three piece suite is not a jacket trousers an vest, or waistcoat, It is three pieces of bedroom furniture consisting of bed, chest of drawers, and a dressing table.

Shin means shoe, and bits means boots.

Hoose is a home , or dwelling place.

Jawbox has nothing to do with your mouth, it is a kitchen sink .!

A fag is not a gay person, it means a cigarette .!

Winching ,is not pulling a boat in with a steel cable, it is courting (dating) a girl of your choice.

If you are asked if you'd like a piece this has no sexual connotations whatsoever, it's a sandwich .

Streaking is not running naked through the park, it refers to improperly painted walls

To be gobsmacked is to be simply stunned .

Ladies, do not ask for pantyhose in Scotland. You will get a pair of panties, and sent to a Hardware store for a garden hose. Ask for Tights.

A message bag , is usually a string bag to carry groceries in.

When someone says the have a Plum , they don't mean a fruit , it means they have a good job, at their place of employment.

If someone says they fell on their bum , they are referring to their backside and do not mean that they fell on top of an old tramp/hobo.

An umbrella is called a brolly , be advised and 'don't leave home without it'.

Lifted by the Police does not mean raised in the air, It means someone was arrested , and taken to jail.

A blind , has nothing to do with hunting, it is a window shade , or a path to nowhere.

Dinner, is around 12 noon. Lunch and Tea, is around 5 or 6 PM. Dinnertime/Supper, is usually the last meal of the day.

If someone asks "Is that the door?" Don't look at the door and say yes, they are asking "Did someone, ring the doorbell" or did someone knock on the door.

In the stores you'll be asked "are you being served?" which means "can I help you?"


	Kyara's Wee Scottish Page This wee site is fairly growing! So grab a wee cup of tea, make yourself comfortable, and enjoy! "Many's the men who've battled foe many the number slain, many the lads have fallen though Scotland shall rise again." If you're planning a trip to Scotland this page will give you a few pointers. Scotland, like any country has her own cliches, figures of speech, idioms, expressions and local vernacular. If you visit Scotland you'll be surprised to find that some of the cliches from North America have the opposite meaning over there, and vice versa. Just a few are below for example. I hope these tips will help you enjoy your trip. If you intend visiting the West of Scotland, here are a few wee translations that will help you out :) Yes = aye; No = naw; I = Ah; You are = ye'r. I don't understand = whit dae ye mean? You're speaking too quickly = gauny slow doon a wee bit. What time is it? = Hiv ye got the time? How are you? = How's it gaun? Hello = hullorrer The most important thing to remember that they drive on the opposite side of the road - so reverse your kerb-drill and look the opposite way first! The speed limits are posted in MPH. Make sure that you do not drive on the pavement while in Scotland, as the pavement is the sidewalk! If you have the oil checked in your vehicle, you'll be asked to open the bonnet which is the hood . If you want french fries ask for chips . If you want potato chips ask for crisps. If you ask for chips you'll be given a bag of french fries. Soda is called ginger or a soft drink in Scotland. Pepsi and Coke are the same in both countries. However, if you want Seven-Up ask for lemonade, and you'll have to request ice, soda isn't served automatically with ice. Soda is soda water (club soda) . If biscuits are offered with your tea, this means cookies, not the biscuits you are used to having with gravy in the US. Cookies are a soft bun with cream inside. This one is for the ladies, if you are speaking to someone, and they call you 'hen' this is a term of endearment, akin to 'honey' in the States. If you are asked if you are 'here for your holidays' this means 'are you on vacation' Pants are called trousers or slacks in Scotland, if you say pants people will think you're talking about your underwear! Yes really, pants are underwear. If someone tells you their children attend public school this means they are attending private school A mince pie is not a sweetmeat, but a ground beef mixture in a pastry. A dumpling is a sweet fruit cake made with raisins and spices, and not a doughball. You may hear someone refer to another person as a 'dumpling', this would imply that the other party was more than a wee bit dense. Basin not a place to dock a boat, but a washbowl in your bedroom. If you need an eraser ask for a rubber! A cot is not a soldier's bed, but a baby's crib. Pram shortened version of perambulator, is a baby carriage. Dummy Tit is not a false breast but a baby's pacifier . Nappy , not a napkin, for wiping your mouth, but a diaper! If you need a napkin ask for a serviette . Sweeties are candies. Close , not meaning near, but meaning the entrance to a tenement building, or dwelling place of several floors. Another meaning of close , is very muggy , this would be in reference to the weather, and when it's muggy (humid) in Scotland it usually means there's a thunder storm about to arrive. Doughballs , made with flour and water, would be what you call dumplings A plot is not a discriminatory act, but a piece of land to grow vegetables. A lane is a path, not a part of the highway . Gummy does not mean sticky, but means a kiss Loch is a lake. Lum is a chimney. The Kilt is a garment worn by members of Scottish Clans, it is not a skirt . Poke does not mean to prod, it is a paper bag . An order of french fries to go would be called a poke of chips. Steamboats does not mean ships driven by steam, but it refers to someone who is thoroughly and absolutely intoxicated . Hurl does not mean to throw, it means to get a ride in a car . Fanny does not mean your bottom, it is a derogatory word for the female private parts . Be aware that 'fanny packs' are called 'bum bags' in Scotland! Give me a ring does not mean I wish to become engaged, it means, call me sometime . Being knocked up does not mean being pregnant, it means someone will waken you at a designated time. Knickers are not knee britches they are panties!! If you need a flashlight ask for a torch . A three piece suite is not a jacket trousers an vest, or waistcoat, It is three pieces of bedroom furniture consisting of bed, chest of drawers, and a dressing table. Shin means shoe, and bits means boots. Hoose is a home , or dwelling place. Jawbox has nothing to do with your mouth, it is a kitchen sink .! A fag is not a gay person, it means a cigarette .! Ground beef is called mince . Winching ,is not pulling a boat in with a steel cable, it is courting (dating) a girl of your choice. A tattie boggle is a scarecrow . Wallies are false teeth . If you are asked if you'd like a piece this has no sexual connotations whatsoever, it's a sandwich . Streaking is not running naked through the park, it refers to improperly painted walls To be gobsmacked is to be simply stunned . Ladies, do not ask for pantyhose in Scotland. You will get a pair of panties, and sent to a Hardware store for a garden hose. Ask for Tights. A pocketbook is a handbag . A purse is a wallet . A message bag , is usually a string bag to carry groceries in. When someone says the have a Plum , they don't mean a fruit , it means they have a good job, at their place of employment. If someone says they fell on their bum , they are referring to their backside and do not mean that they fell on top of an old tramp/hobo. An umbrella is called a brolly , be advised and 'don't leave home without it'. Lifted by the Police does not mean raised in the air, It means someone was arrested , and taken to jail. A blind , has nothing to do with hunting, it is a window shade , or a path to nowhere. Dinner, is around 12 noon. Lunch and Tea, is around 5 or 6 PM. Dinnertime/Supper, is usually the last meal of the day. A truck is called a lorry. If someone asks "Is that the door?" Don't look at the door and say yes, they are asking "Did someone, ring the doorbell" or did someone knock on the door. In the stores you'll be asked "are you being served?" which means "can I help you?" Visit Kyara's History of Scotland Page.