Dundonian for beginners

Every time a foreigner comes to Dundee he or she struggles to understand the locals. Here is the reason why people in Dundee often use a dialect which is quite different to standard British English. Below you will find some examples of famous Dundonian phrases and their use. Enjoy!!!

Ehm.

English: I am

Dundonian sentence: 'Ehm no'n eejit, shirsels'n eejit.'

English translation: 'I am not an idiot, it is yourself who is the idiot.'

(Usually heard at a time of disagreement between the Dundee gentry.)

Watna.

English: Do you want a ...

Dundonian sentence: 'Watna but pink lint on yir peess?'

English translation: 'Do you want a piece of cold meat on your sandwich?'

(This famous Dundee phrase is heard when the adult female asks the adult male about the requirements of his luncheon habits. The luncheon is usually prepared in the home and taken to the male's place of work by means of a 'Peess Poke').

Awan.

English: Go and.

Dundonian sentence: 'Ach awan shufful yoo iy!'

English translation: 'Fiddlesticks, be off with you!'

(This statement is heard from the individual who is at the nucleus of an argument and is quite frustrated at not being able to have their point discussed properly.)

Fairdeegowk.

English: Witlessly frightened person.

Dundonian sentence: 'Awa yi go, yi big fairdeegowk iy.'

English translation: 'Be off with you, you witlessly frightened person.'

(Often heard when the adult female of the troop, or mithir, as she is better known, asks the pack leader to make sure that the living quarters are secure against night-time intrusion.)

Lohbee.

English: Hallway.

Dundonian sentence: 'Saboot tiym yi pehntit thi lohbee zitno?'

English translation: 'It is about time you painted the hallway, is it not?'

(This is said to the adult male Dundonian on close inspection of the present decorative condition of the interior of the hovelhold, bringing it to his attention that the hallway is in dire need of a bit of D.I.Y. handymanship.)

Teckle - Very good, entertaining

Circle - Dundonian shorthand for a roundabout

Kettle-biler - An unemployed man, or househusband. There was much more work for women than men when Dundee’s jute mills were running - men would stay at home and have a cup of tea ready for their wives’ return home.

Cundie - A drain cover

Skelp - A smack or slap, normally directed towards a ‘belter’