Scots Blog
The Scots language has a rich tradition, and abounds with marvellous words. This blog will regularly show a different Scots or Gaelic word with its English equivalent. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I do!
Linda Gilmore Sutherland
BESOM 20/01/2017
by Linda - 01:01 on 13 March 2017
BESOM = BROOM OFTEN MADE OF TWIGS
A besom is a traditional broom made of twigs tied together. In fact nowadays it can refer to any type of broom. The word features in the chorus of the bothy balad, the Muckin o Geordie's Byre: 'When the graip wis tint, the besom wis deen,...' (see the entry for 29 August 2016 where you will find a link to all the words of this balad together with a short glossary).
But beware - this word is also used as a word of contempt for a disreputable woman!
