Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Language Lessons

This first year in Scotland is my familiarization year.  It is a year of grace in which I have the opportunity to settle in and learn about the culture and church before taking on a parish of my own.  


Part of this familiarization has involved learning how things operate and how to operate myself within this culture.  It has also included unintentional language lessons -- those times in conversation when I have looked at someone in clear confusion as I tried to interpret what they just said.  I have, of course, returned the favor (one conversation included the phrase catty-cornered, which caused great amusement).


So, I now share with you a variety of new words for your edification, in no particular order...




Dreich, mingin' = gray, rainy, dreary.  Apparently, dreich is a bit "nicer" way to say it


rammy, stooshy, stramash = argument.  These are all about the same in terms of intensity, from what I understand.  A stramash can also be a disturbance.


bidie-in = your significant other with whom you live, without being married


dear = expensive


stocious = drunk 


chuffed = pleased about something


brass-necked = arrogant


bamboozled = confused


kerfuffle = confusion.  You can have a kerfuffle in a situation or your papers and things might be in a kerfuffle


dingin' doon = pouring down rain


to grass someone out = to rat them out


skip = dumpster


teuchter = a country person


waistcoat = vest


vest = camisole


braces = suspenders


wool = yarn, be it wool, cotton, or acrylic, or anything else


suss out = figure something out, work it out




5 comments:

  1. I hope this will be an ongoing column....
    something tells me that you'll keep this list going for quite some time! Thanks for the lesson... :)

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  2. Love this, please post more when you have more! I have actually heard a few of these, and a couple are generally British, rather than specifically Scottish (skip & braces). Interesting that bamboozled means "swindled" here and "confused" there...

    Looks like you are having some interesting conversations, anyway! :)

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  3. Well then, it certainly is dreich, mingin' in Oklahoma today, and I think I am always in a kerfuffle! Thanks for the language lesson!

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  4. Hi Julia
    Just found your lessons in language.
    Thought you might be interested in another Kerfuffle. They are an English folk band who have, for the past 6 years,developed a large following across the country with their particulalry vibrant style of traditional music. Try their web site for a few sound clips at www.kerfuffleonline.co.uk to add to you acclimatisation to the UK!
    Best wishes
    Chris

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  5. Chris, thanks for the info on Kerfuffle. I will definitely check them out.

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