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Breaktime

30 More Colourful Scottish Phrases and Their Equally-Colourful Meanings

by Steven Shehori

May 20, 2015

The story of ‘Outlander’ continues on Showcase this Sunday, April 5 at 10pm ET/PT. And to celebrate the return of everyone’s favourite historical time travel fantasy drama, we’ve compiled a list of colourful Scottish phrases — and their definitions — for your enjoyment. Och!

Yer oot yer face!

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1 / 30

Yer oot yer face!

Translation: you're really drunk!

It’s a dreich day!

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2 / 30

It’s a dreich day!

Translation: the weather is lousy!

I’m fair puckled!

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3 / 30

I’m fair puckled!

Translation: I'm out of breath!

Is the cat deid?

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4 / 30

Is the cat deid?

Translation: your pants are too short (as in, they're at half-mast because maybe your cat died).

Dinnae marry fur money.

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5 / 30

Dinnae marry fur money.

Translation: don't marry for money.

Dinnae teach yer Granny tae suck eggs.

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Dinnae teach yer Granny tae suck eggs.

Translation: don’t try to teach a person something they already know.

I’ll gie ye a skelpit lug!

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7 / 30

I’ll gie ye a skelpit lug!

Translation: I'll give you a slap on the ear!

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8 / 30

Peely wally.

Translation: pale.

I’m fair crabbit at the moment.

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9 / 30

I’m fair crabbit at the moment.

Translation: I'm irritable right now.

You’re the wee hen that never layed away.

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You’re the wee hen that never layed away.

Translation: don’t play innocent with me.

All his eggs are double-yoakit.

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11 / 30

All his eggs are double-yoakit.

Translation: he's full of hot air.

Guid gear comes in sma’ bulk.

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Guid gear comes in sma’ bulk.

Translation: good things come in small packages.

Don’t be a wee clipe.

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Don’t be a wee clipe.

Translation: don't be a tattle tale.

Sewn wi’ a hate needle an’ a burnin’ threed.

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Sewn wi’ a hate needle an’ a burnin’ threed.

Translation: a poorly made garment.

Yer aywis at the coo’s tail.

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Yer aywis at the coo’s tail.

Translation: quit dragging your heels!

Tatties o’wer the side.

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Tatties o’wer the side.

Translation: we're in crisis mode.

Lang may yer lum reek.

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Lang may yer lum reek.

Translation: live long and healthy.

Haud yer wheesht!

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Haud yer wheesht!

Translation: be quiet!

I’m going ta skelp yer wee behind!

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19 / 30

I’m going ta skelp yer wee behind!

Translation: I'm going to spank your bottom!

It’s time to get your jags.

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It’s time to get your jags.

Translation: time for your shots!

Yer bum’s oot the windae.

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Yer bum’s oot the windae.

Translation: you're not making sense.

Gie me the boak.

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Gie me the boak.

Translation: makes me nauseous.

A pritty face suits the dish-cloot.

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23 / 30

A pritty face suits the dish-cloot.

Translation: It doesn't matter what you're wearing when you're pretty.

Haud yer wheesht!

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24 / 30

Haud yer wheesht!

Translation: shush it!

You’re a wee scunner!

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25 / 30

You’re a wee scunner!

Translation: you're a real nuisance.

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26 / 30

Hey mukker!

Translation: hey friend!

You’re a long time deid.

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27 / 30

You’re a long time deid.

Translation: Lighten up! You've got plenty of time before you're dead.

Heid doon arse up!

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28 / 30

Heid doon arse up!

Translation: get on with it!

You’re all bum and parsley.

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29 / 30

You’re all bum and parsley.

Translation: you’re a big ol' blowhard.

Mony a mickle maks a muckle.

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30 / 30

Mony a mickle maks a muckle.

Translation: keep your eyes on the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.

Breaktime

Written BySteven Shehori

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