Doric words & sayings
Fit like? A light-hearted guide to the Doric words, sayings and North East traditions you'll come across in Aberdeen and the shire, and how (not) to use them on a date.
Doric words and sayings
- Fit like?
- "How are you?" in the Doric. The usual answer is "Nae bad" or "Chavin awa" (plodding along).
- In dating: The perfect opening line for any message to someone local.
- Foos yer doos?
- Literally "How are your pigeons?", a cheery North East way of asking how you are.
- In dating: Try it on a first date. If they know the answer, they're a local.
- Loon
- A boy or young man. Grown men are still loons, whatever their age.
- In dating: "He's a fine loon" is high praise from anyone's mum.
- Quine
- A girl or young woman, the partner word to loon.
- In dating: Every quine deserves someone who'll make the effort.
- Fit, far, fan
- What, where and when. In the Doric, a lot of "wh" words start with an "f".
- In dating: "Far are we gaun and fan?" is all a second date needs.
- Bosie
- A cuddle or a hug.
- In dating: One for later on. Maybe not the first date.
- Blether
- A good long chat, or someone who talks a lot.
- In dating: A proper blether over a coffee is a great first date.
- Dreich
- Dull, grey and damp weather. A well-used Scots word in the North East.
- In dating: A dreich day is the perfect excuse for a cosy café.
- Peely wally
- Pale and a bit washed out.
- In dating: Nobody looks their best peely wally. Pick a sunny photo for your profile.
North East traditions and local lore
- The Granite City
- Aberdeen's nickname, from the grey granite used for so many of its buildings.
- In dating: Solid, dependable and built to last. Not a bad quality in a partner.
- The Silver City by the Sea
- Another name for Aberdeen, from the way the granite sparkles when the sun comes out.
- In dating: Worth waiting for a bright day for that first walk along the beach.
- Butteries
- Flaky, salty, buttery rolls, also called rowies. A North East breakfast favourite.
- In dating: If they know where to get the best butteries, keep them.
- Fittie
- The local name for Footdee, the old fishing village of tiny cottages at the harbour mouth.
- In dating: A wander round Fittie and along the beach makes a lovely first date.
- Bennachie
- The much-loved hill range near Inverurie, with the Mither Tap at the top.
- In dating: "Have you been up Bennachie?" is a great conversation starter.
- The Doric
- The traditional Scots dialect of the North East, still spoken all over the shire.
- In dating: A few words of Doric on your profile shows you're a local.
- Royal Deeside
- The valley of the River Dee west of Aberdeen, with Balmoral, Ballater and Braemar.
- In dating: A drive out to Deeside makes a lovely day date.
- Stonehaven Fireballs
- A Hogmanay tradition in Stonehaven, where people swing blazing fireballs down the High Street at midnight.
- In dating: A New Year's date nobody forgets.
- Dunnottar Castle
- The dramatic ruined castle on a clifftop just south of Stonehaven.
- In dating: A clifftop walk to Dunnottar is about as romantic as it gets.
The Doric varies from place to place, and what you hear in Peterhead isn't always what you hear in the city. Got a favourite we've missed? Tell us when you join.
Fit like? Go and meet someone.
Put a few of these to use with singles who'll know exactly what you mean.