ONLY last year Twitter users were shocked "outwith" was a word only used in Scotland and now the same has happened again.
TV presenter Martel Maxwell has expressed her shock at her English colleague not recognising the word "squint".
She tweeted: "Doing a piece to camera, my cameraman (who is English) said: "There's no such word as 'squint.'" WHAT? A squint window means it's not straight. Was he mad? Turns out he's right..'squint' for 'not straight' is only used in Scotland. This has blown my tiny mind."
Doing a piece to camera, my cameraman (who is English) said: "There's no such word as 'squint.'" WHAT? A squint window means it's not straight. Was he mad? Turns out he's right..'squint' for 'not straight' is only used in Scotland. This has blown my tiny mind.
— Martel Maxwell (@MartelMaxwell) February 18, 2021
The Collins English dictionary defines "squint" as a verb meaning "if you squint at something, you look at it with your eyes partly closed".
While the Dictionary of Scots Language says it is "an angle, slanting position, inclination".
And the Online Etymology Dictonary says the word was first used as a verb in 1590s but didn't become a noun meaning "sidelong glance" until nearly 100 years later in the 1660s.
READ MORE: Calls for a Scots language act as attacks on speakers increase
Twitter users couldn't believe the story, with one saying it's "a perfect metaphor for today's world" and another asking whether English people knew the Clyde Arc is referred to as the "squinty bridge" by Glaswegians.
Had no idea 'squint' was only used in Scotland in this sense. Sounds like a perfect metaphor for today's world. Or indeed a philosophy - Squintism. Expect a song. https://t.co/mfIZCpnwtV
— Tommy Mackay (@TommyReckless) February 19, 2021
Had they not heard of the squinty bridge over the Clyde. https://t.co/pqpfoYqNab
— Caroline Penman (@carolinepenman5) February 19, 2021
Here are the best responses:
1.
I much prefer 'squinty bridge' to 'not straight bridge' https://t.co/1TjiKK8rfC
— Jim Fraser MSM #FBPE 🇪🇺🇵🇹🏴 (@JimFraserz) February 19, 2021
2.
Squint and outwith are 2 words that make sense and the English should just grow up and use them because they work https://t.co/fXqeEnGjJY
— Angus Coutts (@angusmaroon) February 19, 2021
3.
I wish I had known that when hanging pictures for my mum. me "Is it straight now" (whilst dangling on the edge of a shoogley chair"
— Harrywragg (@alexjmagyar) February 19, 2021
Response "Nah it's still squint" went on for many attempts https://t.co/OOxnAl38su
4.
One more good reason for independence! https://t.co/Uyy8OEcNFe
— Alan Love (@AlanLove61) February 19, 2021
5.
The Camera Operator's Tweet: Working with a Performer today (who is Scottish) who said: "That window's squint.'" WHAT? 'Squint' ?! I've never heard this before! Turns out she's right... 'squint' is Scots for 'not straight'. What a fabulous word. #LanguageRocks https://t.co/89aQTF6nan
— Janis M Reilly 💙 (@TheWeeMaverick) February 19, 2021
READ MORE: Streaming giant urged to fix 'alarming' omission of Scots language
6.
I was 44 when I found out that squint is not an actual word. https://t.co/8LzSo8FrXb
— phil sutherland (@philsuds) February 19, 2021
7.
I have just asked several people about this and can confirm English people do not use squint in this way?! Genuinely mind blown https://t.co/TGQ1kqlj2w
— Hev (@okayhev) February 19, 2021
8.
You should introduce him to the word 'bawbag'. https://t.co/SstIAbumDA
— Greg Moodie (@gregmoodie) February 19, 2021
9.
Non-Scottish friends, how ever do you get by without the word 'squint'?? Mind well and truly blown! 🤯 https://t.co/PUVsrPibN8
— Heather Tweedie (@rhtweedie) February 19, 2021
10.
After 30 odd years an English Scot I rarely notice my Scotticisms. This is one of them. Who'd a kent? https://t.co/ZmgnqjfXlA
— Lisa Cowan 🌿 (@_Lisa_Cowan) February 19, 2021
11.
I had similar when working in Peterborough and presenting to the team some changes I was making and being stopped to answer "what does outwith mean?" I was so taken a back I had no idea it was only in Scotland https://t.co/oYCP6faqjV
— James O'Neill - The ScottishBear 🏴 (@TheScottishBear) February 19, 2021
Last year, Poet Len Pennie - who has a Twitter account specialising in Scots words - declared "outwith" as the term her word of the day.
Pennie joked that even she didn't realise it was only Scottish until her American and English friends argued with her over it.
In a clip posted on Twitter she said: "I'm not wrong, I'm just Scottish."
Scots word of the day: OUTWITH
— ✨ Miss PunnyPennie ✨ (@Lenniesaurus) October 20, 2020
Meaning: This is a preposition which opposes within. Outside of
Example: can I come see you outwith your normal hours?
(I love this word so much. Please use this word today, you gorgeous people. X) pic.twitter.com/kDGx5OB81P
The dictionary of Scots language defines 'outwith' as being a preposition meaning: "outside, out of, beyond".
While the Cambridge dictionary, which defines it as Scottish English, has it as simply meaning "outside".
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