Glasgow Patter: fighting it out...
chib A chib is a sharp-edged weapon, such as a knife or a razor. To chib a person is to use such a weapon on him. Someone who is known to use a blade in fighting may be called a chib-merchant. A chib-mark is a scar, as from the wound of a knife or razor: 'Check that for a hard ticket, eh? Chib-marks aw ower the coupon.' go A go can mean a fight: 'What's your problem, pal? Want yer go?' The phrase a square go means a one-to-one fight, unarmed, this being regarded as a fair way to settle a confrontation: 'They think because you come from Glasgow you inevitably end an argument with the offer of a square go.' © Michael Munro	'Getting right inty them' (ie. tearing opponents apart) is part of the local macho culture, even though street-fighting or gang-fighting might be less common today than in the 60's and 70's. In most industrial environments toughness is high on the hit-parade of respected qualities and fighting is part of the mythology. For those who know Billy Connolly's sketches, 'Ivan the Terrible' comes to mind as a ready reference.

Glasgow Patter: fighting it out...

chib: A chib is a sharp-edged weapon, such as a knife or a razor. To chib a person is to use such a weapon on him. Someone who is known to use a blade in fighting may be called a chib-merchant. A chib-mark is a scar, as from the wound of a knife or razor: 'Check that for a hard ticket, eh? Chib-marks aw ower the coupon.'
go: A go can mean a fight: 'What's your problem, pal? Want yer go?' The phrase a square go means a one-to-one fight, unarmed, this being regarded as a fair way to settle a confrontation: 'They think because you come from Glasgow you inevitably end an argument with the offer of a square go.'

'Getting right inty them' (ie. tearing opponents apart) is part of the local macho culture, even though street-fighting or gang-fighting might be less common today than in the 60's and 70's. In most industrial environments toughness is high on the hit-parade of respected qualities and fighting is part of the mythology. For those who know Billy Connolly's sketches, 'Ivan the Terrible' comes to mind as a ready reference.

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