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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Mollie Goodfellow

St Andrew's Day: 14 Scottish phrases you've probably never heard - and what they mean

It's St Andrew’s Day today - ​the day celebrating the patron saint of Scotland.

St Andrew was born in Bethsaida, in Galilee – now Israel. Along with his brother Peter, Andrew was the first of Jesus’ 12 disciples. As well as being the patron saint of Scotland, St Andrew is the patron saint of Romania, Greece, Russia, Poland, Ukraine and Barbados.

For the occasion, Google has published a patriotic doodle featuring the Loch Ness monster and the Saltire.

Here are 14 Scottish phrases you may not have heard of: 

“Yer bum’s oot the windae” (Your bum is out the window) – You’re literally talking rubbish.  

“Sewn wi’ a hate needle an’ a burnin’ threed” (Sewn with a hot needle and burning thread) – Bad stitching on a garment that falls apart easily

“Ma heid’s mince” (My head is mince) - My head’s mixed up

“It wis hoachin'” –  It was busy

“Haud yer wheesht!” – Hold your tongue

“Dinnae fash yersel” – Don’t worry yourself

“Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye!” – What’s meant for you won’t pass you by

“Lang May Yer Lum Reek” – Long may your chimney smoke – May you live for a long time  

“Ah dinnae ken” – I don’t know

“Yer a wee scunner!” – You are disgusting

“It gies me the boak” – It makes me feel sick

“Gie it laldy” – Give it your all – go for it!

“Sorry for my tartle” – Tartle is a completely unique Scottish word, meaning the hesitation when trying to remember someone’s name – Sorry for forgetting your name 

"Git awa' an bile yer heid" - Get away and boil your head  

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