Every town in the UK has its own unique way of speaking and Edinburgh is no different.
In fact, in the capital there are certain words and phrases we use that you won't hear anywhere else.
For anyone who grew up in Edinburgh, these are easily understood - but for those outside the realms of the EH postcode - they can cause utter befuddlement.
READ MORE: Edinburgh local gobsmacked after discovering 'ghost street' hidden under tarmac
If you're a stranger to the city, you've likely felt a bit baffled hearing certain words such as "lumber" or "coupon" and not understanding the meaning or context.
This list isn't intended to be comprehensive, so if there are any you feel we should have included, let us know by leaving a comment on our website or on social media.
Sign up to our Edinburgh Live nostalgia newsletters for more local history and heritage content straight to your inbox
Cheesin'
When someone in Edinburgh says they're "cheesin'", they are telling you that something fortuitous or pleasant has occurred and they have a reason to be wearing that big daft grin on their face.
Puggled
Edinburgh is known for its many hills and steep streets, so this word is pretty essential. It basically means you're knackered or out of breath. E.g., "I'm fair puggled fae all that walking".
Collie-buckie
An interesting one, this. It's the word we use in Edinburgh instead of piggy-back. It's thought to be a twist on 'coalie-backie', referring to the days when the coalman would arrive carrying a heavy sack on his back.
Barry
In standard Scots, we say braw, meaning good or great, but in Edinburgh we also have the word "barry", as in: "That fillum last night was pure barry".
Keek
If something is 'keek' (crap), then it's not very good. Don't buy it, and definitely don't stand in it.
Chum
Other Scots seem to think this one is dead funny for some reason, but in Edinburgh it's perfectly normal to ask a pal to "chum" you to the shops.
Slash
In other parts of the UK the word "slash" has violent undertones, but here in Edinburgh It just means you need a pee. E.g., "I'm absolutely dying on a slash".
Spraff
A spraff is someone who talks a lot of nonsense. A classic sentence would be something like: "Dinnae spraff a load ay s***e".
Radge
Having likely stemmed from the word "rage", to go "radge" about something means you likely have anger management issues, or maybe you lived too long next to the tramworks.
Nash
To nash in Edinburgh is to get somewhere fast. For example, nashing to the offy a quarter to 10 on a Friday..
Gadgie
This is a sort of term of endearment which is used in Edinburgh in the place of the word 'person', but it is also used in a derogatory way to describe someone from a lesser off background.
Chore
This is an Edinburgh word that differs greatly from the classic English meaning, which might involve doing something like the washing up for pocket money. To chore in Edinburgh means to steal. You might hear someone tell you they're "on the chore", in which case you might want to consider new friends.
Bizzies
Get caught on the chore and you likely bump into the 'bizzies', or police. Apparently this slang term came about due to the local force supposedly being too preoccupied, or busy, to attend incidents.
Tube
Used in a way similar to two other great Scots words, daftie and eejit, if you're ever called a 'tube', then it's because you've done something a wee bit silly or foolish.
Stookie
If you break your arm, you'll often need to wear what we in Edinburgh call a 'stookie', or plaster cast, until the injury heals. The word is thought to have come from the Italian word for plaster: 'stucco'.
Hingin'
'Hingin'' is usually attributed to someone or something that is either aesthetically-displeasing or even smelly. It's similar to the word 'mingin'', which you'll hear elsewhere in Scotland and the UK. Edinburgh has to be different, though, okay?
Dinghy
Dinghy means to ignore. It's that unpleasant feeling you get when you were supposed to meet a pal, but they've not turned up and their phone keeps going to voicemail: "I've just been dinghy'd".
Pagger
Pagger means to fight. Also known as a 'square go'.
Clap
If you're ever asked to 'clap the dug', it's not an invitation to gave your mate's pet canine a standing ovation. In this instance, clap means to stroke the dog.
The boak
Boak is an onomatopoeic word which is often used in place of vomit, but it can also be used to convey a sense of queasiness. E.g.: 'The smell of dug food gi'e's me the boak'.
Deek
As in 'deek the state ay yer trainers'. This is a sentence that was oft heard in the school playground back in the day (sob).
Shan
Here in Edinburgh, if something is 'shan', then it's generally 'inadequate', 'unjust' or 'of inferior quality'. Examples: "That's a shan portion of chips" / "That's pure shan, I didnae deserve that" / "That boy's haircut is well shan (very dodgy)".
Healthy
Essentially the opposite of 'shan', the word healthy in Edinburgh doesn't always tally with the Oxford Dictionary's definition. Healthy can mean 'a lot' or 'large amount' of something, and it can also be used in place of the words 'very' or 'extensive'. Example: "I'm no' walking there; that's a healthy trek".
READ NEXT:
Edinburgh weather: City set for 'mini-heatwave' with 20C temperatures
Edinburgh outdoor market's famous giant pink King Kong and where it is now
Medics warn 'world is not prepared' as patients infected with highly contagious disease
Incredible moment Beyonce shouts kind message to Edinburgh fan after spotting her sign
Edinburgh OAP who went viral during pandemic facing care home eviction as funds run out
