Glasgow Patter: terms of address
Jimmy or Jim A name used to address any male stranger in a friendly manner: "What time's the next train, Jimmy?" "Hey, Jim, is that emdy's seat?" hen A friendly term of address for any female, whether known to the speaker or a stranger: "Yer wean's flung away his dummy, hen." problem The phrase What's your problem? is not intended to express a willingness to help but is actually a hostile challenge. © Michael Munro	If you use "Excuse me..." instead of "Hey Jimmy!" in the wrong context, you may be presumed to be a toff, or worse, a Sassenach... But remember the one basic rule: watch and learn, but leave the Patter to the natives!

Glasgow Patter: terms of address

Jimmy or Jim: A name used to address any male stranger in a friendly manner: "What time's the next train, Jimmy?" "Hey, Jim, is that emdy's seat?"
hen: A friendly term of address for any female, whether known to the speaker or a stranger: "Yer wean's flung away his dummy, hen."
problem: The phrase What's your problem? is not intended to express a willingness to help but is actually a hostile challenge.

If you use "Excuse me..." instead of "Hey Jimmy!" in the wrong context, you may be presumed to be a toff, or worse, a Sassenach... But remember the one basic rule: watch and learn, but leave the Patter to the natives!

return to The Patter's introduction
other words