Glaswegian Dictionary

Glasgow has a language all of its own, full of colour, humour and local character. From everyday phrases to cheeky slang, the city’s unique way of speaking can be confusing to newcomers but always adds to its charm. Our Glaswegian Dictionary helps you decode the lingo, so you’ll feel like a local in no time.

Glaswegian Dictionary

The Glaswegian Dictionary

Below you’ll find our A–F of Glaswegian words and phrases, organised so you can easily browse by letter. Click on a section to expand and discover the meaning of each term, along with examples of how locals use them in everyday conversation. Dinnae worry if you’re confused — every visitor is at first!

  • Aboot: About.
  • Aff: Off.
  • Ah/Ah’ll/Ahm: I/I’ll/I’m.
  • Ain: Own, as in my own, which would be “Ma ain”.
  • Anaw: Aswell, also, too, in addition to.
  • Arsed: Bothered, as in “Ah cannae be arsed”, meaning I can’t be bothered.
  • Auld/Aul’: Old.
  • Aye: Yes.
  • Backie: A ride on the back of someones bike.
  • Bahookie: Buttocks, bum, bottom, arse, erse, ass, butt.
  • Baltic: Very cold, normally used to describe a particularly cold day, as in “It’s bloody baltic the day”.
  • Bampot: Idiot, crazy person, silly or stupid person. Bampot is a disapproving word normally used after someone has done something particularly stupid.
  • Banter: Lively and humorous chat or conversation. Banter is a term used to describe lively humorous conversation, usually between friends. But in Glasgow you will hear banter from many people you don’t know or have just met, e.g. a Glaswegian taxi driver, or a wee old lady waiting in the queue for her messages. (Definition of “messages” is below).
  • Barras: The Barras, or Barrowlands; a location in Glasgows East End where there is a street market.
  • Barrbru: Irn Bru; the fizzy, orange coloured drink that the Scot’s love. I can’t describe the taste. You have to taste it yourself to discover how delightful it is. Also recommended as a brilliant hangover cure by many Glaswegians.
  • Bawbag: Can be used in the literal sense, meaning scrotum. Can also be used as a derogatory term, normally towards a male, meaning asshole or dick.
  • Beamer: Red face caused by Embarrassment. e.g. James had a beamer when realised his fly was down. A beamer is not a BMW in Glasgow!
  • Belter: A very good thing, for example “That goal was a total belter!”
  • Bile: Boil, often used in the phrase “Away an’ bile yer heid” which is a cheeky way of saying no to someone.
  • Boabie: Male genitals, penis, willy, wangdoodle, knob, cock, dick, johnson.
  • Boak: Vomit, would most likely be heard in the phrase “That gies (gives) me the boak” which translates as finding something particularly disgusting.
  • Boggin: Very dirty, manky, mockit, mingin’.
  • Bookies: Bookmakers.
  • Boozer: If someone is talking about going to the boozer, it means they are going to the pub.
  • Brass neck: Impudence, shameful boldness, embarrassing behavior. This phrase is normally used to highlight someones bold cheel or unwittingly embarrassing behavior in company of others.
  • Breed: Bread, as in “breed an’ butter”.
  • Bucky: Buckfast; a tonic wine which is particularly popular among the Glasgow neds.
  • Bufter: Homosexual.
  • Bunnet: Hat, any type of hat. Sometimes can also mean a tweed hat.
  • Burds: Females.
  • By-the-way: This is a phrase used to accentuate or draw draw attention to a particular point. Can also mean as well, also or too.
  • Cannae: Can’t.
  • Cauld: Cold (Pronounced like the word called).
  • Chibbed: Cut with a sharp object, normally a knife. A term used mainly in terms of stabbing someone.
  • Clatty: Dirty, manky, mingin’.
  • Clatty pats: The affectionate name for a nightclub in Glasgow’s West End called Cleopatras.
  • Connel: Candle.
  • Coo: Cow, as in the milk producing domestic animal. You might hear the term “Highlan’ coo” which is the breed of cow found mainly in the Scottish highlands.
  • Copper crack: Dirty bum.
  • Coupon: Face, as in “What’s up wi’ your coupon?”
  • Croanie: Old friend.
  • Da: Dad, father.
  • Dae: Do.
  • Daftie: Idiot, halfwit. Generally an endearing term used when someone does something a bit silly.
  • Daftie: Idiot, halfwit. Generally an endearing term used when someone does something a bit silly.
  • Dancer, Ya: An expression of joy. When something particularly great happens then the phrase “Ya dancer” may be shouted.
  • Dancin: Used when talking about a nightclub, as in “Ahm going tae the dancin’ the night”.
  • Diddies: Breasts, Boobs.
  • Dinjy: Dark and dirty.
  • Diz: Does.
  • Dobber: A derogatory term similar to calling some a dick, but perhaps a bit more friendly.
  • Dod: A dod of something just means a bit something.
  • Doin’/Doing: A beating or fight. Might be heard from someone who angry with someone else and to whom they are “Going to give a doing”.
  • Donner: A walk, as in “A wee donner round the park”.
  • Doon: Down, as in “Lets go doon the pub the night”.
  • Dug: Dog.
  • Eejit: Silly person, normally not used in a derogatory way.
  • Emdy: Anybody, as in “Is emdy in the lavvie the noo?”
  • Erse: Arse, bottom, bum, buttocks, ass, as in “Sit on yer erse and listen tae me”.
  • Fae: From.
  • Faimly: Family.
  • Fanny-bawz: A derogatory term (similar to dobber).
  • Fartsack: Bed.
  • Fiver: A five pound note.
  • Flittin’: Moving house.
  • Fly: Illicit.
  • Fud: A name for female genitalia. Normally used as an insult, in which case it means the same as idiot or fanny.
  • Fugly: Fucking ugly.
  • Fur: For.

This section covers Glaswegian slang from G through to L, with plenty of well-known favourites in the mix. From greetings to cheeky insults, these words show just how colourful the local dialect can be. Have a browse and see how many you already recognise.

  • Geesa: Give me a, as in “Geesa wee dod a that”.
  • Get it up ye: Loosely translated, this means “Ha Ha”.
  • Gies: Give.
  • Ginger: Fizzy juice, particularly pertaining to Irn Bru.
  • Gonnae: Will you or can you, as in “Gonnae gies a wee dod a that?”
  • Greetin: Normally means crying, but can also mean moaning.
  • Gub: Mouth, gob.
  • Hackit: Ugly, someone with a weathered face.
  • Hairy (Hairy Mary): A female ned, normally one who is particularly loud and mouthy.
  • Hameldaeme: Home.
  • Haudin’: Holding.
  • Haw: Generally an expression used to catch someones attention, particularly someone a distance away, for example across a street.
  • Hawd: Hold.
  • Hawfwit: Halfwit, idiot, silly or stupid person. Generally not derogatory.
  • Hawn: Hand, as in “Will ye hawd ma hawn?”
  • Heavy: Can be used instead of the word very, but can also be used to describe bad news.
  • Hee haw: Nothing, as in “He’ll be getting’ hee haw aff me”.
  • Heid: Head.
  • Heid case: Head case, idiot. Can be derogatory. Normally used to describe someone who has done something particularly stupid.
  • Heid the baw: Halfwit, idiot, silly or stupid person. Generally not derogatory.
  • Heider: Header.
  • Hen: A term used to refer to or greet a female, as in “Hiya hen, how are ye?”
  • Here you: An expression used to attract someones attention.
  • Hing: Can mean hang, but is also the slang way of saying thing.
  • Hoachin’: Very busy.
  • Honkin’: Smelly, horrible or disgusting.
  • Honnel: Handle.
  • Hudnae: Had not.
  • Hunner/s: Hundred/s, as in “There were hunners a folk there this mornin”.
  • Huv: Have.
  • Intae: Into.
  • Isnae: Isn’t.
  • Jake: Can mean cheap booze, but is more commonly to refer to a tramp or homeless person. Can also be used to describe someone who looks messy.
  • Jessie: If someone is described as a “big Jessie” it normally means that they are a bit soft.
  • Jimmy Riddle: Piddle, pish, pee, wee, urine.
  • Jist: Just.
  • Jobby: Poo, faeces, shit.
  • Kerry oot: Carry out. Generally refers to buying alcohol from an off licence, but can also mean take-away food.
  • Keys/Keyses: If you call keys/keyses, you are calling a truce. Normally used by children when playing tig or something similar.
  • Kin: Can, as in “Kin ye pass me that book ower please?”
  • Lassie: Girl, female.
  • Lavvie: Toilet.
  • Lecky: Electricity, normally used when referring to an electricity bill.
  • Lift: A ride in vehicle, normally a car. Would normally be heard in the context of “Do you need need a lift to school?”, or something similar.
  • Loupin: Very sore, as in “Ma heid wis loupin when ah got up this mornin”.

The M–R section is packed with some of Glasgow’s most expressive slang. From everyday sayings to words you’ll only hear in the city, this part of the dictionary shows just how inventive Glaswegians can be with language.

  • Mad wi’ it Very drunk.
  • Maest: Most.
  • Mah: Used to refer to ones mum/mother, but also means my.
  • Massehl: Myself.
  • Maw: Mum, mother.
  • Menshy: Graffiti.
  • Mental: Normally used when referring to someone who has tried to be tough, but has also been a bit of an idiot.
  • Messages: Shopping, groceries.
  • Mibbe: Maybe.
  • Middin’: Bin, rubbish dump. Can also refer to a mess, for example “This hoose is like a middin”.
  • Midge: Bin.
  • Mince: Rubbish or crap, as in “He played mince the day”.
  • Mingin: Horrible, disgusting, manky, dirty.
  • Mockit: Dirty, manky, mingin’, disgusting, horrible.
  • Motur: Car, as in “Ahm going tae pick up the motur fae the garage”.
  • Muntered: Very drunk.
  • Nae: No.
  • Nae-borra: Literally means “No bother”. Translated, this means no problem at all.
  • Napper: Head.
  • Naw: No.
  • Ned: Ned stands for Non-Educated Delinquent. It means the same as chav.
  • Nip: To kiss or to “get off” with. Normally used by teenagers, as in “Will you nip mah pal?”
  • Nugget: Halfwit, idiot, silly or stupid person. Generally not derogatory.
  • Ower: Over.
  • Pat and Mick Rhyme and slang for sick.
  • Pee: Piddle, pish, wee, urine.
  • Piece: A piece is a sandwich.
  • Pish: Piddle, pee, wee, urine.
  • Plook: Acne. Normally used to point out a particularly large spot.
  • Poacket: Pocket.
  • Poke: Paper bag, as in when in the chippie, “Kin ah get a poke a chips please?”
  • Pokey hat: An ice cream cone.
  • Puggy: Slot machine.
  • Pun: Pound, not normally used in terms of money. More often used when talking about weight.
  • Punter: Customer or consumer.
  • Pure: A descriptive word which means the same as really. See “pure dead brilliant”.
  • Pure dead brilliant: A very Glaswegian phrase. Used to enthusiastically describe something that is really great.
  • Randan: If someone is going out on the “randan” it means that they are going out for a drink, particularly to a nightclub.
  • Reekin: Smelly or disgusting, but can also mean very drunk.
  • Rid neck: Embarrassed, particularly when a persons face gets very red.
  • Riddy: If someone “takes a riddy”, it means that their face has gotten very red, most likely because they are very embarrassed.
  • Rocket: An idiot, someone who doesn’t really have a good grip on reality.
  • Rotton: This can mean that something or someone is really bad, as in “That dinner we had the other night was rotten”.
  • Rubbered: Very drunk.

Rounding things off, the S–Z section includes some of the funniest and most distinctive Glaswegian words. Whether it’s slang for pals, phrases for banter, or local twists on common terms, these are the expressions that give the dialect its real character.

  • Sannies Shoes, normally refers to trainers or plimsoles.
  • Scadge: To obtain something, for example, a lift or a cigarette.
  • Scooby: A clue, normally used in the phrase “I don’t have a scooby” meaning I don’t have a clue.
  • Scran: Food.
  • Scratcher: Bed.
  • Scud: To hit or smack.
  • Scunnered: Devastated.
  • Shoot the craw: Go to bed, go home.
  • Single fish: Is rhyming slang for pish, but is also used when ordering a piece of battered fish from a chippie.
  • Skank/skanky: Generally talking about a female who perhaps sleeps around, or a person/place that is a bit dirty.
  • Skelp: To hit or smack someone.
  • Skite: To slide or slip.
  • Slash: To cut.
  • Smidgeon: A small piece.
  • Sook: Suck.
  • Spanner: Halfwit, idiot, silly or stupid person. Generally not derogatory.
  • Square go: Someone who is asking you to fight them will ask for a square go. The question would simply be phrased “Square go?!?”
  • Stoat: If someone is “stoating” they cant walk in a straight line without falling over. This would generally refer to someone who is inebriated.
  • Stoater: This can either be a very nice looking person, or something very good such as “a stoater of a goal”.
  • Stooky: A plaster, such as the type on a broken bone in the body.
  • Swagger: A specific type of walk, tending to be an over-confident and rather manly walk.
  • Tadger: Male genitals, penis, boabie, willy, wangdoodle, knob, cock, dick, johnson.
  • Tae: To or too.
  • Tan: This can mean either smash, as in “Tan a windae”, or can mean to drink quickly.
  • Tap: This means loan or borrow, but will often be heard in the phrase “Gonnae tap us a fag” in which case the person asking will not be giving it back.
  • Taxed: If someone “taxes” something it means that they have claimed it for their own.
  • Telt: Told.
  • Teuchter: Someone from Scotland, but not from Glasgow, normally in reference to someones accent.
  • The day: Today.
  • The morra: Tomorrow.
  • The night: Tonight.
  • The noo: At the moment, just now.
  • Toatey: Small, little, wee.
  • Tod: If someone is on their tod, this would mean that they were “on their own”.
  • Toley: Poo, jobby, shit, faeces.
  • Tom tit: Poo, jobby, shit, faeces.
  • Tool: Halfwit, Idiot, Tube, Spanner.
  • Toon: Town, used generally when talking about going into “The Toon”, which would mean going into the centre of Glasgow.
  • Trackies: Tracksuit, generally referring the tracksuit trousers.
  • Troops: Friends.
  • Tube: Halfwit, idiot, silly or stupid person. Generally not derogatory.
  • Waddin’: Wedding.
  • Wallies: False teeth, dentures.
  • Wan: One.
  • Wee: Small, little. Probably one of the best known Glaswegian words.
  • Wee man: Friend, mate. This phrase is generally used in a friendly and endearing way. Is often used in place of excuse me.
  • Weegie: Glaswegian.
  • Whit: What.
  • Whitey: Sick, normally after drinking too much.
  • Wide-o: Someone who is getting a bit too big for his boots.
  • Winch: To kiss or to “get off” with. Normally used by those in their thirties or above. Not really used by teenagers.
  • Windae: Window.
  • Wis: Was.
  • Wisnae: Wasn’t.
  • Wummin: Woman.
  • Ye: You.
  • Yer budgies deed: Literally means “Yer budgie’s died”, but actually means that someones trousers are too short.
  • Yersel: Yourself.
  • Youse: You guys, this would normally be used in the same context as the American Y’all.

Heard a word we’ve missed? Send us your favourite Glaswegian slang and we’ll add it to the list!