English grammar
Scottish English: wee, dry humour and the eh? tag
Recognise three touches of Scottish English: wee, dry humour and the eh? tag.
From the scene Homesick
In short
In Scotland, wee means small, and eh? asks you to agree. Dry humour says the opposite with a straight face.
Your turn
Which one goes with a wee bit = a little?
Options: a straight face, the opposite meaning · just a wee bit of dry humour · a wee house, a wee dram (of whisky)
Show answer
a wee bit = a little → just a wee bit of dry humour
How it works
In Scotland people say wee (= small, little) in front of almost anything: a wee house, a wee dram (a small whisky), a wee bit.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Oh, the sea, the bagpipes, the rain... just like home! I'm so (blank)!
Options: homely · homesick · homeless
Show answer
Oh, the sea, the bagpipes, the rain... just like home! I'm so homesick!
Ay, el mar, la gaita, la lluvia... ¡como en casa! ¡Qué morriña!
Good to know
Scots are known for dry humour: saying something with a completely straight face while meaning the opposite.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
It's saying one thing and meaning another, (blank).
Options: deadpan · loudly · sadly
Show answer
It's saying one thing and meaning another, deadpan.
Es decir una cosa y querer decir otra, sin inmutarse.
Good to know
Eh? at the end of a sentence asks the listener to agree (you'll hear it in Canada too).
wee = small a wee house, a wee dram (of whisky)
a wee bit = a little just a wee bit of dry humour
Nuria
Not at all, Javi. Just a wee bit of dry humour, eh?
Qué va, Javi. Solo un poquito de humor seco, ¿eh?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Not at all, Javi. (blank), eh?
Options: A straight face, the opposite meaning · Just a wee bit of dry humour · A wee house, a wee dram
Show answer
Nuria
Not at all, Javi. Just a wee bit of dry humour, eh?
Qué va, Javi. Solo un poquito de humor seco, ¿eh?
dry humour (deadpan) a straight face, the opposite meaning
…, eh? (asking you to agree) your Scottish accent is perfect, eh?
Nuria
Javi, your Scottish accent is perfect, eh?
Javi, tu acento escocés es perfecto, ¿eh?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Javi, (blank)?
Options: a wee house, a wee dram · just a wee bit of dry humour · your Scottish accent is perfect, eh
Show answer
Nuria
Javi, your Scottish accent is perfect, eh?
Javi, tu acento escocés es perfecto, ¿eh?
Common mistake
Not isn't he or doesn't it here. A tag checking agreement.
Javi, your Scottish accent is perfect, eh?
Javi, tu acento escocés es perfecto, ¿eh?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| wee = small | a wee house, a wee dram (of whisky) |
|---|---|
| a wee bit = a little | just a wee bit of dry humour |
| dry humour (deadpan) | a straight face, the opposite meaning |
| …, eh? (asking you to agree) | your Scottish accent is perfect, eh? |
More lines from the story
- NuriaOh, the sea, the bagpipes, the rain... just like home! I'm so homesick!Ay, el mar, la gaita, la lluvia... ¡como en casa! ¡Qué morriña!
- NuriaIt's saying one thing and meaning another, deadpan.Es decir una cosa y querer decir otra, sin inmutarse.
- JaviNuria, the director wants a Scottish scene.Nuria, el director quiere una escena escocesa.
- JaviWait... was that an insult?Espera... ¿eso fue un insulto?