Peely-wally
I’ve no heard that for ages. Damn Fifers haven’t got the same colourful linguistics as we do though the west.
There’s probably thousands of words and phrases that would confuse people. We could do a book
In Scotland for instance, gettin messages isn’t what appears in your messaging app on your phone, no, it’s going for shopping.
Hen — not a chicken, it’s a wummin (woman.)
Greeting — not what you do when you meet someone, it’s crying.
Mince — not wee bits of meat, it’s something bad. As in, yer heids mince (idiot.)
Tan — not something you get from being in the sun, it’s to consume quickly. As in, that bastard just tanned all the whiskey.
Piece, nope, not a part of something, it’s a slice of bread — as in a jeely piece.
Phrases;
Will you stop clumpin aboot — stop making a noise.
Do ye think am buttoned up the back o ma heid — do you think I’m stupid.
Let’s finish up with a couple aimed at children, which make no sense whatsoever.
Stop whinging or I’ll gie ye something to cry about.
And finally, I’ll take ma hand aff your face. (Which oddly means your about to get a slap.)
Here are some more i heard most of these as a child.
"Whit's fur ye'll no go past ye."
This one basically means 'whatever is meant to happen to you, will happen to you"! It's the Scottish phrase I heard whenever I'd moan or complain about not getting something (or someone!).
"You're a wee scunner!"
This is usually said with a touch of impatience, as a fair translation would be "You're a little whiner/nuisance". If I complained about being bored, or was being whiny and difficult, this was the response I'd get.
"She's up to high doh"
This means "She's all worked up" or "She's got herself all riled up".
"A pritty face suits the dish-cloot"
If I was fussing over what to wear, this Scottish saying was mums' stock answer. Basically it means "A pretty face suits the dish-cloth".
I think this probably still needs some more translation.... the general idea is 'if you've got a pretty face, it doesn't matter what you're wearing'. Of course, it usually didn't help with my immediate problem ;o)
"Awa' an bile yer heid"
This Scottish phrase is another one that needs a double-dose of translating! Simply putting it into English results in "Away and boil your head!" - which probably won't help you much.
What it means is something along the lines of 'Get lost!' or 'Forget it!' - and it's usually said to someone who is deemed to be talking rubbish, or wasting your time.
"Don't be a wee clipe!"
I'd hear this if I was telling tales on my sister (or anyone else!). It means "Don't be a little tell-tale!".
"Yer bum's oot the windae!"
Another colorful Scottish saying, that definitely needs some explaining. Direct English translation would be "Your bum is out the window", but that's probably not going to make you any the wiser.
So, the actual meaning of this phrase is something along the lines of 'You're talking rubbish (trash)', or 'You're not making any sense'. Believe me, I heard this one a few times!
"I'm going to the pictures"
The 'Pictures' is the movie theater,
"It's time to get your jags"
This isn't a phrase that any kid wants to hear! 'Jags' are vaccinations, so it means "It's time for your shots". Not fun, and guaranteed to send me running in the opposite direction!
"I'm going ta skelp yer wee behind!"
The English version of this Scottish phrase would be "I'm going to smack your little bottom" (bottom is 'butt' or 'rear' for those in the US). Didn't hear this one too much either, but can't say I NEVER heard it!
"They're flitting"
This translates to "They're moving house". 'Flit' is to 'move'... that one was easy, for once.