Sunday, January 25, 2009

Megan's Scottish/English Lexicon

Often I get confused when talking to people or reading magazine/newspaper articles over here.
I get funny looks every time I say the word "sweater" and my friends regularly have to explain the meanings of words to me. Ahh, the cultural experience of Scotland.
Here are some words and definitions that I have learned:

Dob
verb, dobbing
1. To tell on someone, to tattle. Often used by young children.
If you flush mom's jewelry down the toilet, I'll dob on you!

Cardigan
noun
1. A long-sleeved garment (sweater) with buttons on the front.
Gee, Simon, I wish I could afford a nice cashmere cardigan like yours.

Chav
noun, derogatory slang
1. The British version of "trailer trash", from what I gather. Often wears tracksuits, gold jewellry, white puffy coats, etc.
Hey Brenda, I see you're favouring the Chav look with your bright pink sweatsuit, hoop earrings and that new platinum dye job. Nice!

Chuffed
adjective
1. delighted; pleased; satisfied
I was chuffed when I heard my professor describe my essay as 'wondrous'.

Jumper
noun
1. A pullover sweater, without buttons, hoods or pockets.
I bought you this orange knitted beauty for the ugly jumper party.

OTT
British expression
1. Over the top; excessive, outrageous behaviour; uncalled for.
That publicity stunt pulled by Homecoming Scotland with the elephants, fireworks and dancing haggis was a little bit OTT.

Neeps and tatties
noun, Scottish origin
1. 'Neeps' refers to the root vegetable Rutabaga, or Swede, that originated as a cross between a cabbage and a turnip. 'Tatties' is a Scottish word for potatoes.
We'll need lots of whiskey to wash down those starchy neeps and tatties at our Burns supper tonight...pass the haggis!

Noughties
noun
1. A name for the decade from 2000 to 2009; the term has been adopted by the British media, including the BBC, but there really is no official name for this decade.
I sure hope nu-rave culture dies with the Noughties, my eyes burn from all that neon.

RA
noun, British slang
1. Rich asshole
The young RA lovingly packed her UGG boots and straightening iron into her Louis Vuitton suitcase before setting out on her gap-year adventure to Brazil.

Tosser
noun, derogatory British slang
1. synonymous with wanker
That lad's a bit of a tosser, why don't you dance with me instead?