Are ye befuddled??
Well, dinna fash!
Burns Night is on 26th January, so now is a good time to explore a few Scots words & phrases and make them a little bit easier to understand, focusing mainly on the upcoming 2021 Burns Supper celebrations (most of which will, we imagine, be taking place ‘virtually’ or ‘at hame’).
Even in these difficult and trying times, you can still have lots of fun – dressing up, exploring some Scottish traditions with the kids, reciting some Burns poems, having a wee dram and, of course, enjoying some weel-kent Scottish scran – haggis, neeps an’ tatties……yum! (There are now plenty of vegetarian/vegan options around if you’re not keen on the traditional recipe).
How many did you get right?
‘Licht-hertit blether’……. light-hearted chat
‘Dinna fash’ …….. don’t worry
‘At hame’ ……. at home
‘Wee dram’ ….. small (-ish!) whisky
‘Weel-kent’ …… well-known
‘Scran’ ……. food
‘Neeps an’ tatties’ …… turnips and potatoes
Address to the Haggis
The first item on the agenda at a traditional Burns Supper is the ‘piping in’ of the Haggis, carried in on a silver platter, usually to the playing of bagpipes followed on by the speakers and led to the top table. Then comes the poem ‘Address to the Haggis’ – see the full version of the poem here – along with an excellent translation. Apparently Burns himself first recited the address at a dinner in favour of the more usual ‘Selkirk Grace’, hence the ‘Burns Supper’ connection:
Some hae meat an’ canna eat
And some wad eat that want it
But we hae meat an’ we can eat
Sae let the Lord be thankit
Translated ……..
Some have meat but can’t eat
Some have none that want it
But we have meat and we can eat
So let the Lord be thanked
Auld Lang Syne
‘Auld Lang Syne’ – meaning ‘for the sake of old times’
‘Auld Lang Syne’ is the song sung more than any other around the world. It is famously sung by revellers at the stroke of midnight on 31st December every year.
The tradition began in Scotland, where Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) was celebrated by the singing of the song while singers join hands to form a large circle. The song is also often sung at Burns Night celebrations, Ceilidhs, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and for countless celebrations across the world.
Some of the verses aren’t so well known, but can be found in this 3 minute read
Ten more Scottish words and phrases….
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See more of our Scottish Lucky Sixpence designs
In the course of everyday living in Scotland, many ‘localised’ words and phrases are used – some well known, others not so familiar. Here is a wee mix of both – some I grew up with on the east coast of Scotland, others I have gathered from other regions along the way…….they are so expressive and the pronunciation of the words convey the meanings so well…….enjoy!
Lang may yer lum reek Wishing you long life
Scunnered – as most of us are just now!!!! Fed up, disgusted
Wabbit – we can really identify with this Feeling drained, tired
Bahookie (I had a nasty fall on mine recently!) Buttocks, rear end, bottom
Coorie – we do a lot of this in Scotland! Snuggle in, cuddle
Dreich – Most days of a Scottish summer! Dreary, drizzly
A wee keek – when time’s short A quick glance
Peely-wally – quite common in Scotland! Pale skinned, under the weather
Wheesht! – most children are familiar with this Be quiet!
Awrabest – WHAT WE’RE WISHING FOR YOU ALL IN 2021………….ALL THE BEST!
🏴
Much love,
The Scottish Keepsakes Clan
