Gies a Scots Phrase Day: The best phrases used across the country

Traditional music organisation Hands Up For Trad came up with the idea for “Gies a Scots Phrase Day“, which takes place today.

Those who want to take part are urged to film themselves saying their favourite Scots phrase and put it on social media with the hashtag #GiesaScotsPhraseDay.

National contributor and Scots expert Alistair Heather has been encouraging people to take part in the scheme.

And Scots from all over the country – including Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Shetland – have all posted their favourite phrases on Twitter.

Here are the best responses:

1. 'It's nae loss whit a a freen gets' meaning 'your friend's happiness is yours'

Scots phrase of the day: IT'S NAE LOSS WHIT A FREEN GETS

Meaning: Your friend's happiness is yours

Example: Och, dinnae ye be gettin jealous ae Moira, it's nae loss whit a freen gets#GiesAScotsPhraseDay pic.twitter.com/BXfyoJ9PIX

— ✨ Miss PunnyPennie ✨ (@Lenniesaurus) June 4, 2021

2. 'It wisna fur naethin that the cat lickit the steen' meaning 'there’s a reason for everything'

My phrase fur the first iver #GiesAScotsPhraseDay is “It wisna fur naethin that the cat lickit the steen”. 🐱 There’s a reason for everything. Post yer ain Scots phrase, gie it a try! @handsupfortrad https://t.co/78VLm8N1ZV pic.twitter.com/3kDQunFdjE

— Iona Fyfe (@ionafyfe) June 4, 2021

3. 'Hair like cat’s sookins' meaning 'wet, limp hair'

A phrase that onybody wi lang hair fa’s ivver been caught oot by a michty thunnerplump will be able te relate te: “hair like cat’s sookins” #GiesAScotsPhraseDay #drookit 🌧☔️🌧 pic.twitter.com/vdFhd3ZG9Y

— Dawn Leslie (@_DawnLeslie) June 4, 2021

READ MORE: Learn Scots with The National: Scots tae English

4. 'Whit’s for ye will no go by ye' meaning 'if it's meant to be, then it will happen for you'

‘Whit’s for ye will no go by ye’ - as frequently said by my Mum.

And one I’m somewhat ambivalent about: ‘It’s aye been’#GiesAScotsPhraseDay #Scots https://t.co/aNPQ0TzbK5

— Roseanna Cunningham 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺🕷🖖 (@strathearnrose) June 4, 2021

5. 'Dry boke'

Ma offering fur #GiesAScotsPhraseDay "Gads man, the sicht ae that gies me the dry boke." 🤢💁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/BcvIqDIkOF

— Ross Crawford (@RRMCrawford) June 4, 2021

6. 'Haud yer wheesht' meaning 'be quiet'

Here’s ma contribution #GiesAScotsPhraseDay @billykayscot @scotslanguage @mumofaredhead pic.twitter.com/T7nmllPtl1

— Dr Gordon Hill (@GordonHill1) June 4, 2021

7. 'A shivery bite' meaning 'something to eat after a swim'

A shivery bite! #GiesAScotsPhraseDay @handsupfortrad pic.twitter.com/hVfWG34U6i

— Elizabeth (@raisethegame) June 4, 2021

8. 'Awa an bile yer heid' meaning 'to stop being ridiculous'

Awa an bile yer heid #GiesAScotsPhraseDay

— Cllr Tom McEwan (@McEwanSNP) June 4, 2021

9. 'Gie it laldy' meaning 'do your best'

My offering to #GiesAScotsPhraseDay - up there with the best coaching advice in the world. 😉 🙇‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/wjszppxZCh

— Roy O'Kane (@royokane) June 4, 2021