10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Oxford English Dictionary adds 13 Scottish words in update
This morning, June 25, it was revealed that the dictionary now features 13 new terms, all with Scottish origins.
Several of these words, such as "Lorne sausage" and "morning rolls," have a food-based theme.
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The OED editors stated that a word is considered for inclusion after they have amassed enough independent examples of its usage "from a good variety of sources".
They also require evidence that a word has been in use for a "reasonable amount of time."
Some of the newly added words can be traced back to the 1700s and already feature in Scots language dictionaries.
These Scottish terms are part of nearly 600 new words and phrases embraced by the OED.
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Here is a full list of all the iconic Scottish terms that have been added:
Aye, right - A sarcastic phrase - used ironically to express contempt or incredulity. Similar to "yeah, right".
Beamer - A term for a flushed or blushing face, especially one resulting from embarrassment. Extended to mean a humiliating or shameful situation.
Bummer - A person in a position of authority. Normally used in the expression "heid (head) bummer". It sometimes has a humorous suggestion of pomposity or officiousness.
Chum - To join someone as a companion, as in "I'll chum you along".
Hoaching - Crowded, swarming or thronging. It is derived from the verb "hotch" - to swarm', dating back to 1797.
Lorne or Square sausage - Sausage meat formed into square slices that are grilled or fried.
Morning roll - A soft white bread roll, its first usage dating back to Farmer's Magazine in 1801.
Playpiece - A snack taken to school by children to eat during the morning break or playtime. Also used in Northern Ireland.
Shoogly - A word used to mean unstable or wobbly. The OED cites it being used to describe to describe Glasgow's unsteady subway carriages.
Skooshy - Applied to anything that can be squirted. Whipped cream squirted from an aerosol can is often called "skooshy cream" north of the border.
Tattie scone - A type of flat savoury cake made with flour and mashed cooked potatoes. Goes nicely with square sausage on a morning roll.
Well-fired - Refers to rolls baked until brown or black and crusty on top.
The inclusion of these terms in the Oxford English Dictionary is a testament to their usage and significance in Scottish culture.
They now stand alongside thousands of other words, each contributing to the vast and varied tapestry of the English language.