Lang may yer lum reek! and other Scottish-isms

I put a challenge to author Cathie Dunn (Highland Arms) to collect some Scottish phrases I could use to amaze my friends at parties.  She went sleuthing and came up with some dandy Scottish conversation stoppers.  Feel free to pick a few and try them out for yourself.  Let me know how far you get. 🙂

Scottish Phrases you might hear in places (Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders)…

I’m no in very gid fettle the day. (I’m not feeling well today.)

Is she no a braw lookin bird.  (Isn’t she a nice looking woman!)

Have ye seen the bairn?  (Have you seen the child?)

When are ye gan hame? (When are you going home?)

I forgot te let ye ken. (I forgot to tell you.)

You wearin your old baffies the day? (Are you wearing your old slippers today?)

Pit yer simmit in the washin machine. (Put your vest into the washing machine.)

Watch an no fa doon that open cunndy. (Watch you don’t fall down that open drain.)

Git me a pun o mince when yer oot. (Get me a pound of mince when you’re out.)

Awa wi ye! (You are kidding me!)

See yer wearing yer bits the day. (I see you’re wearing your boots today.)

Its awfy cauld the day. (It’s really cold today.)

Nice troosers yer wearin. (Nice trousers you’re wearing.)

Pit yer hon there! (Shake my hand!)

Livin above the brush. (An unmarried couple.)

Ah seen it wi ma ane een. (I saw it with my own eyes.)

Fancy a burl in ma car? (Would you like to go for a drive?)

What aboot havin a burl roond the dance flair? (Do you want to dance?)

Fancy gonn fur a donnder? (Do you want to go for a walk?)

I’ve goot a sair heed. (I have a headache.)

She pockled the money. (She stole the money.)

Gees wane o thame! (Can I have one of them?)

Have ye goot any fid in the hoose? (Do you have any food in the house?)

That is reekin! (That smells!)

That’s an auld hoose. (That house is old.)

They stiy in a single end. (They stay in a semi detached house.)

Lang may yer lum reek! (Live long and happily!)

Highland Arms is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Betrayed by her brother’s lies, Catriona MacKenzie is banished from her Edinburgh home to her godmother’s remote manor in the Highlands. While her father ponders her fate, Catriona’s insatiable curiosity leads her straight into trouble–and into the arms of a notorious Highlander.

Five years after an ill-fated Jacobite rebellion, Rory Cameron works as a smuggler to raise money for the cause–until Catriona uncovers a plot against him and exposes his activities. Now Rory is faced with a decision that could save their lives or destroy them both.

Cathie on the web:  www.cathiedunn.com • Blog: http://cathiedunn.blogspot.com • Twitter: @cathiedunn