In the past, we have asked our Scotsman readers for their favourite Scottish words (and sayings) and in doing so revealed a wealth of rich Scottish vocabulary including Scots words with totally different meanings in English and (naturally) weather terms e.g., “dreich”.
From Scottish Gaelic to Scots Leid and its dialects such as Doric, Scotland has a rich linguistic heritage which endures to this day. For example, you can find Gaelic phrases in the hit TV show Outlander and Scots Leid expressions too.
Meanwhile, it is well known that there are many mispronounced Scottish place names because these locations still have motifs of our heritage languages. So, all of this to say that Scotland provides a rich landscape for languages and that extends to our descriptions of human anatomy.
If terms like “cranniewanny”, “geggie” or “queets” are lost on you then continue reading for twenty-one Scottish words for body parts.
17. Neb
The Dictionary of the Scots Language describes a neb as “nose or 'snout' of a person”. You can use it to call someone nosey as well with expressions like “you just want a good neb round the place” (you just want a good nosey around the place!) Photo: lillitve on Canva Pro
18. Wame
Similar to the word “womb” (but not always used as a descriptor for it) Scots use it to describe a belly. Stoory Duster provide the example: “Whit fizzes in the mooth disni aye fill the wame” (What fizzes in the mouth doesn’t always fill the belly.) Photo: Andranik Hakobyan on Canva Pro
19. Broo
Related to body parts like “eyebrow” or “forehead” according to the Dictionary of the Scots Language. If we say “to lat doon a broo” it means to show displeasure. Photo: Antagain on Canva Pro
20. Hunker
As a noun the word “hunker” refers to a thigh just as “hunker-bane” means a thigh bone. It is regularly used as a verb which describes squatting with one’s thighs. Photo: Africa images on Canva Pro