EXPRESSIVE SCOTTISH PHRASES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11359, 10 April 1915, Page 4

EXPRESSIVE SCOTTISH PHRASES.

There aro certain words, and phrases composed of words-, not to bo found iu the dictionary, but which are in daily conversational use in various parts of Scotland to convey expressive meanings which the users appear to think cannot be adequately conveyed by the contents of our recognised vocabulary, I have culled a lew of the.se gems, which I have heard in use in Forfarshire, Fifeshire and Midlothian, and which, so 'far as J. know, have not hitherto appeared in print. It is very likely that ray little list can bo supplemented. I thiuk it was in Fife tiia-t I fin-Jt heard the expression "Jessy-Kitty." It was used to describe a- young man with moro girlishness than manliness about him; for example, a fellow who threw .a. stone or a snowball like a woman. The Scottish " Jessy-KTtty " corresponds to the North of England " lassie-lad. M Not far removed from "Jessy-Kitty'" is the name "Sammy Droep," which apparently is applied to a man with little vigour of character—in .line, a; creature without ;uiy " smeddum " and little gumption:—not much better than ho who, in Forfarshire, is impatiently denoune-ed as a "dew.ned cediot.'' Another expression which may fitly be placed in the same c-ategory a.s the two already mentioned is Nosey Wax.'" This hails from Forfarshire, and denotes a simpleton who may be easily imposed upon. It is commonly used in some such way as this:--A person is as|ced to do something or go somewhere, and he, or she, will reply—"Nae fear; dinna yo tak' me for a nosey wax. I'm no' in wi' a. trio or a eairt o' hay." Of course, the assumption is that tho person to whom the request is addressed is being taken advantage of. I have found, a interesting phrase in use in Midlothian, namely, "'Trail the bauchle." This is applied to people who do not obey tie: Biblical injunction, " Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbours house lest he weary of thoo"; but who .are continually on the move--when they have the chance —from house lo house or from shoo to shop indulging in idle gossip (; v spreading scandal. One may in certain districts regularly hear seine iudiviilual described" thus:-- ■" Och. she's ju;\;. a, regular trail the bauchle." It will 1"; agreed that the phrase tint e»l\ :i:>propriftte but puuc.cm:.