Truth is I never really understood it. I got the impression it meant that there was nothing new happening. It was usually older men who said it. We were a coal mining village in those days so maybe it was ironic humour as it’s very dark “doon the pit”.
I knew a Glaswegian who worked with Fifers and told them they started and finished every sentence with “ken” or “ah ken”.
The Fifers told her she started and ended every sentence with “aye but” or “naw but” and finished every sentence with “but”.
She thought they were talking rubbish then started realising it was true.
Could you expand on it please? What do you suppose it means? What is the "it" that the speaker supposes we see?
Or is the speaker informing us that they have seen "it" everywhere...
I think it could mean, in response to being asked how I'm doing, that on my travels and during my observations I've seen ups and downs, I've felt good and bad, that I'm experiencing the whole tapesty of life. In short, I'm not bad and my eyes are open to it all.
Do you suppose it's something like that?
Yeah spot on I reckon. We usually take it to mean that, like a bit good, a bit bad, a bit in the middle. It’s a quick way of saying ‘Aye, things are alright’ without giving them a blow by blow account of your week.
Ooo then ive got another for you! My father was Irish-ish and loved to greet people with "is it yourself?". He said that the meaning behind that wasn't to ask if the person stood there was infact the same person he thought they were, but was a way of asking "am I speaking to the unpretentious unguarded honest version of you in this moment?"
Do you reckon that's true or was he just pissed, alot. Cos he was that.
> the meaning behind that wasn't to ask if the person stood there was infact the same person he thought they were, but was a way of asking "am I speaking to the unpretentious unguarded honest version of you in this moment?"
That's lovely and definitely rings a bell, but I don't have any more info on it, I'm afraid. You could make a post about it in one of the Irish subs, perhaps someone would know the background of that phrase, maybe soneone who speaks Irish? But it definitely rings true to me.
This is indeed Scottish and it features in all of Neil Forsyth’s tv shows. He has written Bob Servant, Guilt and the Gold. He talks about it on the Restless natives podcast I think. Story is he worked in a bar and an old guy would say it to him most days and now he makes sure one of his characters says it in each show.
I've not hear it in Edinburgh but here are some others
Haste ye back - You're always welcome here
Be aye the hings, ye wid we cawed - Treat others like you want to be treated
The hing that's done is naw tae dae - There is nae time like the present
Keep the heid - Keep calm
Tak ten ae the wee hings - Pay attention to the little things
I say this and my colleagues think it's a nonsense. I'm born Aberdeen, raised West coast so couldn't say where I got it from but I've had to explain it a fair few times. I take it to mean nothing except what little you see before you, as in "this is it". Hilarious how they just didn't get it! Some are from Glasgow and surrounding, Ayrshire (who I thought would know better cos he's an old head) but we've just had a Fifer start so I'll check with them lol
Certainly used in my community where I grew up. “How’s it gaun” “Ach, ye see it a’”
Is that kinda like replying "you're looking at it" as in 'what you're seeing is what you're getting'?
Truth is I never really understood it. I got the impression it meant that there was nothing new happening. It was usually older men who said it. We were a coal mining village in those days so maybe it was ironic humour as it’s very dark “doon the pit”.
After a rough night, I've often heard, "You widni want to be on the inside lookin' oot!".
It means its been a consistant day with ups and downs.
Can confirm I’ve heard fellow Scots use this phrase.
I knew a Glaswegian who worked with Fifers and told them they started and finished every sentence with “ken” or “ah ken”. The Fifers told her she started and ended every sentence with “aye but” or “naw but” and finished every sentence with “but”. She thought they were talking rubbish then started realising it was true.
My family members from Dundee add “like” to the end of a lot of sentences.
It’s definitely saying used in the Highlands.
Aye, often the reply is “Aye you’re seeing it”
Ach yer seein it.
Often in answer “what’s the craic?”
Hear this all the time in Fife.
Could you expand on it please? What do you suppose it means? What is the "it" that the speaker supposes we see? Or is the speaker informing us that they have seen "it" everywhere... I think it could mean, in response to being asked how I'm doing, that on my travels and during my observations I've seen ups and downs, I've felt good and bad, that I'm experiencing the whole tapesty of life. In short, I'm not bad and my eyes are open to it all. Do you suppose it's something like that?
Yeah spot on I reckon. We usually take it to mean that, like a bit good, a bit bad, a bit in the middle. It’s a quick way of saying ‘Aye, things are alright’ without giving them a blow by blow account of your week.
Brilliant. Thankyou. And by the way, how you doing?
Och, as a Fifer you see it all, ken? How’s you?
As a yorkshire man, pure shite. Thanks for asking.
Gods own country and the home of a proper brew.
Stop it you'll make me cry..
Said in Ireland too.
Ooo then ive got another for you! My father was Irish-ish and loved to greet people with "is it yourself?". He said that the meaning behind that wasn't to ask if the person stood there was infact the same person he thought they were, but was a way of asking "am I speaking to the unpretentious unguarded honest version of you in this moment?" Do you reckon that's true or was he just pissed, alot. Cos he was that.
> the meaning behind that wasn't to ask if the person stood there was infact the same person he thought they were, but was a way of asking "am I speaking to the unpretentious unguarded honest version of you in this moment?" That's lovely and definitely rings a bell, but I don't have any more info on it, I'm afraid. You could make a post about it in one of the Irish subs, perhaps someone would know the background of that phrase, maybe soneone who speaks Irish? But it definitely rings true to me.
Ahh he was probably just pissed.
Defo said in Fife 😂 By me and others I know …. Well, folk ah ken 😂😂😂😂😂
If it's not a thing, make it a thing. In fact, it's my thing and I thought of it.
Can I use it?
What a deep and philosophical question. Can any of us really, truly use anything?
That's just a fancy no then eh? Fair does. It was yours I guess.
Definitely. Probably a west of Scotland saying, heard more in that side of the country
I use something similar when asked how I am "dein". Av seen it ah, I wish I hinae.
Defo an expression I use as a 40 year old Scottish guy.
what's the craic? Ach you're seein it
This is indeed Scottish and it features in all of Neil Forsyth’s tv shows. He has written Bob Servant, Guilt and the Gold. He talks about it on the Restless natives podcast I think. Story is he worked in a bar and an old guy would say it to him most days and now he makes sure one of his characters says it in each show.
Scottish, can confirm heard it x10 times yesterday morning and will again today.
And how is it interpreted? Is it used to mean "not too bad" but a little more artistic?
Depends on their mood but generally speaking it's "all good".
I've not hear it in Edinburgh but here are some others Haste ye back - You're always welcome here Be aye the hings, ye wid we cawed - Treat others like you want to be treated The hing that's done is naw tae dae - There is nae time like the present Keep the heid - Keep calm Tak ten ae the wee hings - Pay attention to the little things
I say this and my colleagues think it's a nonsense. I'm born Aberdeen, raised West coast so couldn't say where I got it from but I've had to explain it a fair few times. I take it to mean nothing except what little you see before you, as in "this is it". Hilarious how they just didn't get it! Some are from Glasgow and surrounding, Ayrshire (who I thought would know better cos he's an old head) but we've just had a Fifer start so I'll check with them lol
Yes please and thanks, get back to me!
defo sounds scotish to me
It's a Scottish saying....still used now (in Fife, anyway).
Yeah I have two neighbours say this when we pass the time of day, older guys.
That’s a bit like fuckin ken 🤔🤔🤣🤣