Scottish Phrases That'll Get You Through Life | Scotland.org (2024)

FAQs

What is the most famous Scottish quote? ›

The Scottish phrase “auld lang syne” directly translates to “old long since”, and is used to describe a feeling of nostalgia for the times that have already passed. This timeless quotation could remind us to keep kindness at the centre of our lives as the years go by.

Scottish Sayings

Yer lookin' a bit peely wally – Meaning you look pale or ill. That's gee-in me the boak – A gross but classic Scottish expression one might use if something was making them feel sick! Gonny no dae that – Means please don't do that! Haud yer weesht – Is a not super polite way of saying 'be quiet'!

Scots have 421 words for snow – that's more than the Inuit

A “skelf” is a large snowflake, and “sneesl” means to begin to rain or snow. “Feefle” means to swirl, like snow around a corner, while “feuchter” means to fall lightly, or come down in odd flakes, and a “flindrikin” is a slight snow-shower.

These ancient phrases aren't the most famous Scottish phrases you may have heard in movies or on TV, but you'll be sure to hear them in a pub or two. Haste Ye Back! – Return back with speed – said as a farewell. Lang may yer lum reek!

Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin for 'No one provokes me with impunity') is the national motto of Scotland.

Take from this what you will, but 'dreich' has been voted the “most iconic” Scots word several times. In a sentence: “It's awfy dreich oot there the day.” In English: “It's awfully dreary outside today.”

An archetypal example of an overt Scotticism is "Och aye the noo", which translates as "Oh yes, just now". This phrase is often used in parody by non-Scots and although the phrases "Och aye" and "the noo" are in common use by Scots separately, they are rarely used together.

'Braw' is another common Scottish saying. It means fantastic, great, brilliant… essentially all that's positive and wonderful. You might hear this on your travels. Scotland is definitely a braw destination!

Among those that Sully struggles with are 'tarantula', 'vocabulary', and 'barrel'. The social media star also struggles with the word 'burglary', saying "next" after he repeatedly fails to pronounce it correctly.

Scottish Americans or Scots Americans (Scottish Gaelic: Ameireaganaich Albannach; Scots: Scots-American) are Americans whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in Scotland.

How do Scots greet each other? ›

“Hello” — Just like in English, Scots often use “hello” for a friendly greeting. “Hiya” — A more informal variant of “hello,” “hiya” is commonly used in casual conversations.

Our motto is 'Nemo Me Impune Lacessit' (No one provokes me with impunity) – shared with the Order of the Thistle, Scotland's highest order of chivalry.

William Wallace : Every man dies, not every man really lives.

“May you both be blessed with the fortitude of heaven, the brightness of the Sun, and the brilliance of the moon. May you have the magnificence of fire, speed of lightning, quickness of wind, depth of the sea, stability of Earth, and the sturdiness of rock.