Spend enough time around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and sooner or later you’ll hear a word that makes you wonder if you heard it correctly.

There’s a fair chance it was Doric.

Here are ten words you’re likely to come across in the north-east, along with what they mean.

1. Fit

Meaning: What

Probably one of the most recognisable Doric words.

Fit like?
How are you?

Fit’s that?
What’s that?

Once you spot “fit”, a lot of Doric phrases suddenly become easier to understand.

2. Loon

Meaning: Boy or young man

Nothing to do with calling somebody foolish.

A loon is simply a boy or young man.

3. Quine

Meaning: Girl or young woman

The traditional counterpart to “loon”.

You’ll still hear both words used across the north-east.

4. Bosie

Meaning: A hug or cuddle

If somebody asks you for a bosie, they’re probably being friendly.

Gie’s a bosie.
Give me a hug.

5. Scunnert

Meaning: Fed up, annoyed or thoroughly tired of something

A particularly useful word.

I’m fair scunnert.

You’re not just mildly irritated. You’ve had enough.

6. Glaikit

Meaning: Foolish, vacant or a bit daft-looking

Often used for somebody standing around looking as though they haven’t quite worked out what’s happening.

Dinna stand there lookin glaikit.

Don’t stand there looking vacant.

7. Blether

Meaning: A chat, or to talk at length

Having a blether is usually a good thing.

Often improved by a fly cup.

8. Bide

Meaning: Live or stay

You might be asked:

Far div ye bide?

Which means:

Where do you live?

9. Haar

Meaning: Sea fog

Anyone familiar with the north-east coast will know this one.

A beautiful sunny day can disappear remarkably quickly when the haar rolls in from the North Sea.

10. Ken

Meaning: Know

Another word you’ll hear well beyond the north-east, but very much at home in Doric.

Dinna ken.
I don’t know.

Or:

Ye ken fit I mean.
You know what I mean.

Doric is still part of everyday life

Doric isn’t something that exists only in old books or heritage displays.

Words like these are still used every day across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, sometimes in full Doric conversations and sometimes mixed naturally with standard English.

And there are plenty more where these came from.

Have a look at our seven great Doric words and their meanings or our guide to helpful Doric phrases if you fancy learning a few more.

Before long, you’ll ken fit folk are spikin aboot.