The Scots language has many unique words and phrases for expressing the concept of something being small in size. As a Scottish dialect of English, Scots developed independently from other forms of English and incorporated influences from Gaelic, Old Norse, French, and Dutch. This evolution has contributed to the Scots language having a rich vocabulary related to size and smallness. In this article, we will explore common Scots terms for saying small and examine the origins and meanings behind these distinctive words.
Wee
One of the most well-known Scots words for small is “wee.” This term is used widely throughout Scotland when referring to something little or tiny. Unlike standard English “little,” the Scots “wee” can be used as both an adjective and a noun. For example:
“The wee lassie lost her wee doll.”
“Can you pass me that wee book over there?”
The origins of “wee” can be traced back to the Old Norse word “veigr,” meaning slender or small. The Vikings introduced this word when they settled in Scotland during the 8th to 15th centuries. Over time, the Old Norse “veigr” evolved into the modern Scots term “wee.” An alternate spelling is “wee” – both are accepted.
Today, “wee” is used in phrases like:
– “A wee bit” – meaning a small amount
– “A wee while” – meaning a short time
– “A wee one” – referring to a small child
Wee expressions
The flexibility of “wee” allows for many commonly used expressions in the Scots language, including:
– “A wee shame” – a small disappointment
– “A wee dram” – a small glass of whiskey
– “A wee smile” – a faint smile
– “A wee lie-down” – a short rest
– “A wee greeting” – a brief cry
– “A wee laugh” – a small chuckle
So when the Scots say something is “wee,” they are describing it as tiny, little, or diminutive in an affectionate way. This versatile wee word carries more personality than the standard English “small.”
Wee sleekit cow’rin tim’rous beastie
One of the most famous uses of “wee” in Scotland comes from Robert Burns’ poem “To a Mouse.” In the poem, Burns calls the mouse a “wee, sleekit, cow’rin, tim’rous beastie.” This line perfectly captures how “wee” can express different aspects of smallness. Let’s break it down:
– “Wee” – meaning tiny or little
– “Sleekit” – sleek, glossy, smooth (small in physique)
– “Cow’rin” – cowering, hunched up (appearing small)
– “Tim’rous” – timid, fearful (lacking confidence or boldness)
Together these words paint a vivid picture of a wee mouse that is physically petite, curled up in a small space, and hesitant in temperament. This exemplifies how the Scots language can creatively use “wee” to convey different dimensions of something being small or tiny.
Wee words
In addition to “wee,” the Scots dialect contains many other words to describe smaller size and scale. Some examples include:
Pinky – Meaning small or tiny. “He could barely see the pinky writing on the page.”
Wanchancy – Feeble, weak, undersized. “The wanchancy bairn was born too early.”
Puny – Puny, stunted, undersized. “His puny vegetable crop failed to grow.”
Dochie – Small in stature, stunted. “The boy was dochie for his age.”
Wamefae – Small in the stomach, thin-bellied. “After weeks at sea, the sailors were wamefae.”
Cruppen – Small and frail, crumpled up. “The cruppen auld man walked wi’ a stoop.”
Crined – Shriveled up, shrunken. “The crined leaves blew away in the wind.”
Dadlie – Small, undersized, puny. “Only dadlie tatties would grow in the poor soil.”
Wee rhymes
The Scots language lends itself well to rhyming due to its rhythmic flow and memorable sounds. This traditional Scottish rhyme gives a sense of how “wee” can rhyme in playful ways:
Wee Willie Winkie rins through the toun
Up stairs and doon stairs, in his nichtgoun
Tirlin’ at the windae, cryin’ at the lock
Are the weans in their bed? It’s now ten o’clock!
The repetitive rhyming of “toun,” “goun,” “lock” and “o’clock” energizes this poem about a small boy running around town at bedtime. The rhyme’s use of “wee” and “weans” (children) also emphasizes little Willie Winkie’s diminutive size and youth.
Wee places
In Scotland, the word “wee” often gets used in the names of small towns, villages, and geographical locations. Here are some wee places on the map of Scotland:
Wee Cumbrae – A tiny island in the Firth of Clyde, opposite the Isle of Great Cumbrae.
Wee Madras – A small village located in the Scottish Highlands.
Wee Row – A scenic street in Boat of Garten village.
Wee Hurkle Brae – A little hilltrail outside of Doune, Perthshire.
Calling a place “wee” evokes a sense of quaintness and coziness about remote Scottish hamlets and landscapes. It adds character and charm to even the smallest spots on the map.
Wee data
| Place | Population |
|---|---|
| Wee Cumbrae | 90 |
| Wee Madras | 220 |
| Wee Row | 7 houses |
| Wee Hurkle Brae | Uninhabited |
This data table illustrates how miniscule the populations are in some of Scotland’s wee geographic places. From lonely country lanes to isolated islands, the Scots language brings intimacy to even the most remote and rural locations by dubbing them “wee.”
Wee things
In addition to geography, “wee” can describe petite everyday objects and creatures. From tiny plants and animals to little household items, anything diminutive in size can be called “wee” in Scots. Below are some examples of wee things:
Wee fish – Small fish like tiddlers, minnows, sticklebacks
Wee beasties – Little insects and crawlies like beetles, spiders, worms
Wee flowers – Miniature flora including violets, snowdrops, forget-me-nots
Wee books – Small, pocket-sized books that can be carried around
Wee chairs – Little seats for wee bairns learning to walk
Wee boots – Miniature wellingtons for bairns stomping in muddy puddles
Wee cups – Tiny teacups for dolls and teddy bears to have tea parties
Referring to objects as “wee” imbues them with a certain cuteness, delicacy and childlike charm. The Scots have a knack for affectionately calling the tiniest things “wee” as a term of endearment.
Wee details
Some more examples of using “wee” for small details and minutiae:
– A wee stitch on a quilt
– A wee scrap of fabric
– A wee squeak or creak
– A wee ink blot
– A wee loose thread
– A wee crumb or speck
– A wee hair out of place
– A wee splinter in your finger
The Scots will even call the most microscopic or subtle things “wee” – a true testament to how versatile this term can be for expressing tinyness.
Wee outlook
More than just describing physical smallness, “wee” can also reflect a way of seeing the world. Using “wee” frequently fosters a modest mindset, where even the grandest things are made to feel homier and more manageable in scale.
This “wee” perspective comes through in Scots sayings like:
– “Many a wee makes a mickle” – Many small things add up to make something big
– “Wee problems breed wee anger” – Minor problems cause only small frustration
– “The wee hour” – The late night hour when things seem quieter and smaller
So calling something “wee” can be speaking to its actual size, but also to how it fits into the broader scheme of things. This outlook concentrates on the tiny details that make up the bigger picture.
Wee outlook sayings
Some other Scotts sayings reflecting the wee perspective:
– “Wee drips fill the kail pot.” – Small drips of water eventually fill the cooking pot.
– “Many wee sweeties mak a muckle jar.” – Lots of candies fill up a big jar.
– “Monie a wee maks a great.” – Many small things join to make something large.
– “Gently touch a wee stack, it will a’ fa doun.” – Handle a small stack gently or it will collapse.
Through these sayings, the Scots language connects a focus on wee things to wisdom about the world at large.
How to say small in Scots
In summary, the Scots have a rich vocabulary for expressing smallness in its many dimensions. Here are some key ways to say small in Scots:
Wee – The most ubiquitous Scots term for something little or tiny. Can function as noun, adjective, adverb.
Pinky, wincy, puny, dochie – Other adjectives meaning undersized or weak.
Wamefae, crined, cruppen – Words connoting shriveled, hunched, emaciated.
Wee nicknames – Calling places, objects or creatures “wee” as a fond term of endearment.
Wee outlook – Using “wee” to reflect a modest perspective focused on details.
So if you want to perfectly capture smallness in true Scots fashion, reach for “wee” in all its nuanced glory. Embrace the wee things and you will understand Scotland that much more. We hope this guide helps explain the many wee ways the Scots describe what it means to be small.
Conclusion
In the Scots language, “wee” is the quintessential term for conveying the concept of smallness. This versatile wee word can function as adjective, noun, adverb, and more when referring to something little or tiny. Beyond literal size, “wee” carries connotations of coziness and endearment when used in Scottish place names, nicknames, and sayings. For the Scots, thinking “wee” represents not just diminutive objects, but a modest outlook that focuses on intimate details in the broader landscape. So the next time you want to describe something petite or miniscule, try going “wee” – the Scots’ wee way with words for all things small.