Scots Word of the Week

Each week we feature a different Scots word from the pages of DSL. These are illustrated by renowned Scottish artist Bob Dewar.

19/04/25 – Back greenBack green
A back garden, especially of a tenement or council house.
12/04/25 – GowpinGowpin
To throb with pain, to ache violently.
05/04/25 – Bell the CatBell the Cat
A nickname given to Archibald Douglas, fifth Earl of Angus, for his bravery.
29/03/25 – Gushet houseGushet house
A house on a corner that forms an angle between two roads.
22/03/25 – GundyGundy
A kind of flavoured toffee.
15/03/25 – HottleHottle
A hotel.
08/03/25 – Glasgow magistrateGlasgow magistrate
A salt herring.
01/03/25 – ClachanClachan
A hamlet or village, generally containing a church.
22/02/25 – Eat up…Eat up, ye're at yer auntie's
To help yourself liberally.
15/02/25 – TrowTrow
A mischievous sprite or fairy, a supernatural being.
08/02/25 – SitooterieSitooterie
An outside seating area.
01/02/25 – SnodSnod
Of people or things: neat, tidy, in good order.
25/01/25 – Scabby-heidedScabby-heided
Infested with head lice.
18/01/25 – Torn faceTorn face
A person with a sulky peevish face.
11/01/25 – GigotGigot
A leg of mutton; also used of pork and beef.
04/01/25 – KeelieKeelie
A male city-dweller, an uncouth rowdy fellow.