The Scottish language, like every other language, is always changing and adapting. The study of language is one of the most exciting and rewarding pastimes. It shows where we came from and where we are going. The Internet and texting have made many wondering what the future of language will be. For now, enjoy this look back at the language.
| I I'= in. Icker= an ear of corn. Ier-oe= a great-grandchild. Ilk, ilka= each, every. Ill o't= bad at it. Ill-taen= ill-taken. Ill-thief= the Devil. Ill-willie= ill-natured. Indentin= indenturing. Ingine= genius, ingenuity; wit. Ingle= the fire, the fireside. Ingle-cheek= fireside (properly the jamb of the fireplace). Ingle-lowe, ingle-low= flame of the fire. I'se= I shall or will. Itsel'= itself. Ither= other, another. J Jad= a jade. Janwar= January. Jauk= to trifle, to dally. Jauner= gabber. Jauntie= dim. of jaunt. Jaup= splash. Jaw= talk, impudence. Jaw= to throw, to dash. Jeeg= to jog. Jillet= a jilt. Jimp= small, slender. Jimply= neatly. Jimps= stays. Jink= the slip. Jink= to frisk, to sport, to dodge. Jinker= dodger (coquette); a jinker noble; a noble goer. Jirkinet= bodice. Jirt= a jerk. Jiz= a wig. Jo= a sweetheart. Jocteleg= a clasp-knife. Jouk= to duck, to cover, to dodge. Jow= to jow, a verb which included both the swinging motion and pealing sound of a large bell (R. B.). Jumpet, jumpit= jumped. Jundie= to jostle. Jurr= a servant wench. | K Kae= a jackdaw. Kail, kale= the colewort; cabbage; Scots' broth. Kail-blade= the leaf of the colewort. Kail-gullie= a cabbage knife. Kail-runt= the stem of the colewort. Kail-whittle= a cabbage knife. Kail-yard= a kitchen garden. Kain, kane= rents in kind. Kame= a comb. Kebars= rafters. Kebbuck= a cheese; a kebbuck heel , the last crust of a cheese. Keckle= to cackle, to giggle. Keek= look, glance. Keekin-glass= the looking-glass. Keel= red chalk. Kelpies= river demons. Ken= to know. Kenna= know not. Kennin= a very little (merely as much as can be perceived). Kep= to catch. Ket= the fleece on a sheep's body. Key= quay. Kiaugh= anxiety. Kilt= to tuck up. Kimmer= a wench, a gossip; a wife. Kin'= kind. King's-hood= the 2d stomach in a ruminant (equivocal for the scrotum). Kintra= country. Kirk= church. Kirn= a churn. Kirn= harvest home. Kirsen= to christen. Kist= chest, counter. Kitchen= to relish. Kittle= difficult, ticklish, delicate, fickle. Kittle= to tickle. Kittlin= kitten. Kiutlin= cuddling. Knaggie= knobby. Knappin-hammers= hammers for breaking stones. Knowe= knoll. Knurl, knurlin= dwarf. Kye= cows. Kytes= bellies. Kythe= to show. * R. B. refers to words first used by Robert Burns |
Glossary of Scottish Words A-B
Glossary of Scottish Words C
Glossary of Scottish Words D-E
Glossary of Scottish Words F
Glossary of Scottish Words G
Glossary of Scottish Words H
Glossary of Scottish Words, L
Glossary of Scottish Words, M-P
Glossary of Scottish Words, Q-R
Glossary of Scottish Words, S
Glossary of Scottish Words, T
Glossary of Scottish Words, U-Y
