The dialect of Orkney and Shetland has been greatly influenced by the islands’ history. Orkney and Shetland became part of Scandinavia from 875AD to 1472AD. During this time the language was used most commonly around the islands slowly changed from Old Norse to Norn Once a land of the Picts, the language used by these people has been lost, especially after the Vikings arrived in the islands during the 9th Century. The Vikings took their own language, Old Norse, and Orkney and Shetland became part of Scandinavia from 875AD to 1472AD. During this time the language was used most commonly around the islands slowly changed from Old Norse to Norn. The naming stone at Billia Croo, Stromness, Orkney photo © Copyright Magnus Dixon Orkney and Shetland became part of Scotland in the 15th century and Norn began to be used less and less, dying out by the 18th Century . In the present day the Scots language is spoken in Orkney and Shetland, but there are a smattering of words (some used in both island groups) heavily influenced by Norn. Most English speakers shouldn’t have any problems understanding what Orcadians say, but we have compiled a list of some more unusual words below that you may hear when visiting the islands! Click here for a list of Shetland Words to know before visiting! Skara Brae and Skaill House in Orkney photo © Copyright Victoria Dixon Orkney WordMeaningExample Abuneabove Auldold BairnsUsed to address friends of any ageWeel bairns, ah'll hae to go Bannocka flat cake of flour Berea type of barley grown in the north of Scotland Best kensGoodness knowsWhar is he noo, best kens BeuyAn expression of surprise; a form of greeting used when addressing a familiar male.Weel beuy, whit's deuan the day? Bidestay Birlspin aroundMe head wis fairly birlan Bletherchat / a chatterbox Blinka momentAh'll just bide a blink Blooteredvery drunk Braehill or mound Breekstrousers Bruckrubbish Buddoterm of endearment Buddya personThis buddy cam oot o the hoose Byrea cowshed ChapknockHe chappid fower times at the door and got no reply Claesclothes ClapshotPotatoes and turnips cooked and mashed together, usually served with mince or haggis ClartSpread something on thicklyClarted wi gutter Claggiesticky Cleghorsefly Clipetell tales Cloota cloth Coocow - plural kye DifferDifference DoonDown Dosea large amountWhit a dose o folk wis there Eenone Flega fright Flitmove house Freckmake a fuss / someone who likes you to make a fuss of themThat cat is a right freck Gaango, going Geengone, given Geedgave / went Giddy gaadexpression of disgust Girncomplain in whiny way Goonienightdress Graina small quantitya peedie grain Grimleensdusk Groatie Buckiea small cowrie shell Guttermud HaepmanyThere was a haep o folk there Hairstharvest HashquantityWhit a hash o cars is aboot that hoose Holma small island Home abootat homeHe always bides home aboot noo HumbuginconvenienceAh'll go and no humbug thee The Bay of Skaill, Orkney photo © Copyright Victoria Dixon Orkney WordMeaningExample KlattermessIn a klatter Loonsmarshland Lugear Lumchimney MakkmakeMakk thee supper MessagesshoppingI always go for messages on Thursday Mixter-maxterjumble Mixture o merciesa number of odd thingsIn this drawer I keep a mixture o mercies Neepa turnip Never seen the likeNever seen such a thing Nippitcurt, sharp spoken person Noustscraped out hollow where boats are left all winter Ower wellsatisfactoryOh hid's ower well Partanedible crab Peedielittle Peedie-breekssmall child Peedie weyscarefully, cautiously Peelie-walliesick, feeble, off colour Peenieapron Pleepwhine Plittera watery mess Pootssulking Puggledexhausted Puggiestomach Rafflea mix upAh've gotten in a right raffle! Reekemit smoke or a strong smell Scunnersicken, dislike Selkiea grey seal Shooglytottering Skelpa large extent / slap with flat of the handa skelp o land Skirlmake a loud noise Skiteslide Slestermake a mess Smitinfect Sneck / sniba door latch Spootrazor fish Stoordust Swadgerest after eating Tammie norriepuffin Tattiepotato The dayToday The mornTomorrow Through byNext door Toon (the)kirkwallAh'm gaen tae the toon Toorieknitted hat VexedsorryAh'm that vexed I dinno hiv a sweetie tae the bairns Wheeshtbe quiet Whit likehow are you?Whit like the day? Yinthat YuleChristmas time By Magnus DixonOrkney and Shetland enthusiast, family man, loves walks, likes animals, terrible at sports, dire taste in music, adores audiobooks and films, eats a little too much for his own good. Pin it! Header image: Stromness harbour in the Orkney islands photo © Copyright Victoria Dixon
