The Glasgow accent and the phrases we use get widespread attention - sometimes positive, sometimes negative.
Many studies have shown people from across the world find our accent the 'sexiest', though to us its just the way we talk. The same goes for our sayings and phrases, which to us are completely normal.
For others across Scotland, many things we say are irritating (who knows why) and can be met with a stern face when we use them. We're taking a look at some of those idioms that stir up a reaction.
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Pronouncing J as 'Jai' instead of 'Jay'
There's nothing that confuses people from outside of Glasgow more, and to make it worse, there are lots of us who don't even realise we're doing it.
Although it's written in the DNA of anyone born and brought up in the city, apparently it's a linguistic phenomenon that extends to other places in the west coast too.
And one that could have its origins in the fact that Glaswegians - rather than just being lazy - have somehow hung on to what was the original way of saying the letter J (aligned with the French pronunciation), while others have adopted its modern (Anglicised) interpretation.
Finishing our sentences with 'but'
Another classic Glasgowism that seems totally normal to us but twists the knickers of folk who are unfortunate not to have a G postcode (don't be jealous, folks).
An immediate marker for the rest of Scotland as to where we're all from, Glaswegians use the 'sentence-final' but (as it's known) to help reinforce the sentence.
There's also the possibility that we use it at the end of a sentence for its contrasting meaning, as an alternative to using words like 'though' or 'however'.
Incredibly, just like Glaswegians, people from Queensland in New South Wales and the Australian outback are known for their use of it - and receive their fare share of stick for it too.
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Using 'stay' instead of 'live'
In other parts of the UK it might be common to ask someone where they live, but not in Glasgow, for we are more inclined to ask people where they stay.
We aren't quite sure why we prefer to use the more temporary option of 'stay' over 'live', even when we speak about permanent or long-term things like our address. Stay should be used when referring to being on holiday or away from home - not that it makes much difference to us.
So, where do you stay? Glasgow, obviously.
Using 'how' instead of 'why' when asking a question
Another one that causes untold confusion for some and drives others mad is our tendency to ask 'how' instead of 'why'.
It's a curiosity that Kevin Bridges highlighted to comic effect a few years back in one of his stand-up routines.
Perhaps it comes from the old adage that says 'Don’t ask why, demand how', or is just short for 'how come'.
In any case, asking someone 'how no?' instead of 'why not?' certainly does raise a few eyebrows among non-Glasgow natives.
Using 'werselves' instead of 'ourselves'
There's a host of other Glasgow sayings that we could have added to this list, like 'member' instead of 'remember' or the way we say 'definitely' (definETly, anyone?)
But the pick of the bunch is that curious way we have of saying 'ourselves' - using 'werselves' instead.
Apparently it's not just a Glaswegian thing - our Geordie cousins get some stick from the rest of England for doing the same.
So, who in their right mind uses the word? It's werselves! And the Geordies too...
This article was originally published on December 9, 2020.
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