The best Scots words that are on the decline according to Scottish people
These favourite words from the Scots language include everything from 'moger' to 'skelf'.
Scottish people have shared their picks for the best Scots words that are "on the decline". Everything from 'oxters' to 'clarty' was suggested.
While Scotland is known for many things, our language is arguably the most iconic. We are lucky enough to have three national languages; English, Gaelic, and Scots.
While most of us don't speak Scots - and some incorrectly just see it as a dialect - there are so many Scots words and phrases that are still commonly heard around the country to this day, that we will all know at least one or two.
However, one Scot recently took to social media to ask others from the country which words are not used so much anymore. Posting on the Scotland community on online forum Reddit, they asked: "What are some of your favourite Scots words that are on the decline?"
They added: "As someone who is from an area where Scots is widely spoken in day-to-day life, what are some of your favourite Scots words which you hardly hear spoken nowadays?
"I've been in situations where someone who is Scottish might not understand the meaning of a word due to it being used by some areas or the older generation. One of these is 'moger' which means a mess/untidy or something that's been done badly."
Since being shared on Sunday, June 22, the post has received almost 400 responses. Many have shared their suggestions for the top Scots words and phrases that are falling out of style.
One of the top responses came from a Reddit user who suggested 'oxters' is among the best Scots words "on the decline". The word refers to a person's armpits.
Another user replied: "I always feel stupid when someone doesn't know what an oxter is. It takes me ages to remember to reply with armpit."
Meanwhile, a second response to the question reads: "Skoosh. I heard someone talking about skooshie cream recently (pressurised in a can) and thought it was hilarious."
Many Scots use the word 'skoosh', which means 'squirt' or 'splash'. As the Reddit user stated, the most well-known example is skooshy cream—referring to whipped cream from a can.
But it can also mean when something was easy; a skoosh, like a piece of cake. Or if you found something really easy, you skooshed it.
Elsewhere, one Reddit user stated that they haven't heard the word 'skelf' in "a long time". A 'skelf' is a splinter of wood, usually one that is embedded in a person's skin.
Another suggestion for the best "Scots words that are on the decline" was 'clarty'. It is an adjective that means 'filthy' or 'muddy', which is very appropriate given Scotland's famously unpredictable weather.
One Scot proposed 'cludgie', adding that they "love that word." A 'cludgie' usually refers to a toilet or an outhouse.
Other phrases that were named include 'are ye glaikit' and 'coorie in'. The former translates to 'are you stupid', while 'coorie in' refers to snuggling up or getting cosy.
The full list of responses can be found on the Reddit website.
As reported by the Daily Record, 13 Scottish words have just been added to the Oxford English Dictionary. Among the new additions is 'skooshy'.
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