ADVERTISEMENT

Language sometimes has a funny way of transcending cultures. What may be typical for native speakers in a particular country could come out comically bewildering to outsiders. 

Scottish English is an excellent example, which you will see in full display in the following social media posts. We’ve gathered these screenshots from the Scottish People Twitter subreddit, where over 900,000 members showcase their unique brand of humor

Enjoy the quick laughs, although some of these may confuse you. But that is, after all, part of the fun.

RELATED:

    Reading through these tweets may make you wonder, “What about Scottish humor makes it work?” Could it be the delivery combined with the unique accent? 

    Scottish comedy writer Jenny Colgan provided some insight in an article for The Guardian. She says it’s about the innate ability to make a joke about everything, “from train stations to funerals,” adding that it is particularly a British trait. 

    “The reflex of making a joke out of absolutely everything, all the time, and valuing your friends for how funny they are is peculiar to Britain,” Colgan wrote. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Colgan adds that Scottish humor is “fundamentally working class,” making it relatable to a broader audience. As she noted, people see no point in being embarrassed about their social class, for example, because they know they are “all in it together.” 

    #7

    Buckle Up…

    Scottish humor tweet about Charles and Camilla not wearing seatbelts, referencing Diana.

    GuybrushThreekwood Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Angela B
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I should not have laughed. I am so sorry. Oh dear God that.....just....*snuffle* sorry.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Colgan likewise described Scottish humor as “self-deprecating humor of the self-declared underdog.” Comedian and Glasgow native Larry Dean agrees, given what Scotland is known for. 

    “Being from the nation that’s credited with the invention of the deep-fried whatever, the man-skirt, and bad weather, I’d say we’re pretty good at taking a joke,” Dean wrote in an article for The Herald Scotland.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Sorry Bout That

    Tweet showcasing Scottish humor with a witty exchange between a taxi passenger and driver about waiting times.

    123_jamiebell Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Agfox
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had a Scottish friend named Annie who was a taxi driver. One night she picked 2 guys up from a pub & when they found out her name they insisted on singing Smooth Criminal to her on their way home

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    You’ve likely seen the usual stereotypes (kilts, bagpipes, and haggis), primarily thanks to pop culture and movies. Dean says that while not everything is 100% accurate, Scottish people don’t mind being the butt of the joke. 

    “We’d probably laugh louder than anyone else,” he stated, adding they aren’t attached to any specific idea of themselves.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Both Colgan and Dean also agree that there are differences between Scottish and English humor. Colgan described English humor as “manifestly middle class,” mostly about “the difficulties of fitting in.” 

    For Dean, the directness of Scottish humor gives them a “comedic gruffness” that their counterparts in England don’t have. As he explained, they don’t overcomplicate their means of self-expression. 

    “Nor do we waste time trying to make things sound prettier than they are.”

    #16

    Festive Duke Of Wellington Is 🔥

    Santa on equestrian statue with traffic cone hat, showcasing Scottish humor as people gather to take photos.

    meenmachimanja Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Fat Harry (Oi / You)
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For those not in the know, that statue permanently has a traffic cone on his head. Every time it's removed, locals put another one up there.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #17

    The Scottish Version Of ‘Dude, Where’s My Car’

    Scottish humor tweet about swimming race names resembling Scottish phrase, highlighting funny context.

    The_Chuckness88 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    Alexa, I Am Tryin Tae Talk Tae Ye Hen

    Text post showcasing Scottish humor about mistaking a child for Alexa in a shop.

    meenmachimanja Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sally Moen
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it's funny that the woman whose voice was used for Alexa is named Alexa

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    What I Wanna See

    Scottish humor tweet about England in football finals, expressing desire for their disappointment.

    TheAlmightySquirrel Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is always my favourite thing about England singing this about the men. The only people to have brought it home since 1966 was the women.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #32

    A Very Scottish Memorial

    Scottish humor post with a tweet response to a tribute about Margaret Thatcher.

    Superbuddhapunk Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Frankie Boyle was on the satirical news quiz, Mock the Week, a few days after Thatcher died. He said 'All the debate in Parliament about whether to give Thatcher a state funeral; I've got a better idea. Just give the job to the Scottish ex-miners. They'll happily dig a hole deep enough to hand her over to Satan in person.'

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #36

    Succinctly Destroyed

    Scottish humor post comparing rivers and deep-fried Mars bars in a Twitter exchange.

    TrolleybusGus Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Earonn -
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Deep fried Mars bars are delicious, and only half as dangerous to you as England's best river water...

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #37

    Too Right We Would

    Man drinking Capri Sun in humorous tweet featuring Scottish humor.

    bulkybanana69 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    sbj
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seeing this low level skill record attempt makes me think even I could get into this book and I'm useless at almost everything

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #40

    Congratulations To Celtic Fc. Back To Back League Champions

    Celtic fans with humorous Scottish banner at Tynecastle stadium match.

    The_Chuckness88 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #45

    Daylight Robbery

    Tweet humorously commenting on the high cost of pints, showcasing Scottish humor.

    Nobrien95 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jen F
    Community Member
    3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I play gigs and when the alcohol prices are sky high I can say it sucks. They'll pay you less because of it. It's funny because they wouldn't have sold that much to begin with if it wasn't for us there playing. But the cheap b*stards will f*ck ya regardless depending on how much they make.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #46

    No Words Needed

    Tweet about things England does better than Scotland, with deleted thread, reflecting Scottish humor.

    Spaced-In Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Surely voting for war criminals to hold office and punishing people for being sick or disabled would be on the short list.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #47

    Jesus Man

    Scottish humor post showing a hot tub placed in a bin area, replacing garbage bins.

    doolitt1e Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    sbj
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    looking at the state of the area I'm surprised he didn't just use one of the bins instead

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #50

    This Is Democracy Manifest

    Police put a dog in a van; humorous Scottish humor post highlights dog in a puffer jacket.

    aliblk Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Hyacinth (Any pronouns)
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This image is AI. Check the jacket text, especially on the police officer in the back. 100% gibberish font.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Note: this post originally had 65 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.