12 words you will only understand if you are from Edinburgh

Do you have any more?

Edinburgh Castle

Author: Vinnie Kaur ReidPublished 6th Jun 2022
Last updated 17th Jun 2022

We Scots are known for our wide range of distinct words and phrases that you won't hear anywhere else. If you hail from Auld Reekie, you'll also know that we have plenty of unique words of our own that you will only hear in and around Edinburgh.

These words are a great way to spot a fellow Edinburgh native when traveling but be warned, anyone other than Edinburgh’s locals probably won't understand!

With a mix of colloquial words and English words that have different meanings in the east of Scotland, we've gathered up some of the most common words that you'll only know if you're from Edinburgh.

Take a look through these words you'll only know if you're from Edinburgh:

Spraff

Spraff is one of those words you can't simply deduce from the way it sounds. You have to be an Edinburgh local to know that it is used to describe someone who talks a lot. Actually, it is for someone who talks too much!

Pie/Pied

A real insult, if you have been pied you have been given the cold shoulder. If someone ignores you at work or doesn't reply to a text then uh oh…you have been pied.

Shan

Shan is used to explain that something is unfair, or that you are unhappy with the outcome of a particular situation. It is sometimes used in similar contexts as 'it's a shame' but is more expressive. If you are cross with someone you would say "Don't be shan!".

Barry

Barry is great, grand. So good in fact that it has now spilled beyond the boundary of Auld Reekie.

Radge

A Radge is someone who has a hot temper. If you're prone to flying off the handle, your friends will undoubtedly call you a Radge (when you are out of earshot of course!).

Gadgie

Gadgie is one of those brilliant words which has actually changed over the decades. Initially, a Gadgie was simply a person who lived in the city centre of Edinburgh. The label has now evolved (or devolved!) into a derogatory term.

It effectively suggests someone is a bit of 'loser'. Stereotyped as having little education and ambition, and typically dresses in tracksuits!

Nash

If you need to get somewhere quickly, you need to nash. Those commuting in the city centre will be familiar with this one during rush hour!

Reekin'

Reekin' is another one of those fab words which is used throughout Scotland, but has a different meaning in Edinburgh. Our fellow Scots would describe someone as reekin' if they are a bit smelly. But not in Auld Reekie – it specifically means someone who is very drunk!

Rank

A pretty widely used one - put simply it means: disgusting, vile, rancid.

Stooshie

Stooshie refers to some trouble. It could be a few cross words, or dirty looks across the pub! Thankfully, stooshie tends to be fairly harmless and doesn't progress into anything too confrontational.

Chum

Unlike its general definition of a 'pal' or friend in other places, chum in Edinburgh is a verb that describes accompanying someone. Although, you wouldn't offer to chum someone who wasn't actually a chum…that would just be weird.

Chore

Take heed, chore is one of those words where the Edinburgh definition is very different and almost contradictory to the usual dictionary definition. To chore is to steal. A bit ironic really.

If you are a visitor to Edinburgh, remember to pie any spraffs you meet, and if you do encounter a radge gadgie, better nash! Everything else? Well, it’s just barry.