Among the tartan tea towels and toy Highland terriers, one of the most popular souvenirs at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is a set of coffee mugs celebrating the invective genius of the Scots tongue. Each one bears the definition of a word. A numpty is an idiot. Glaikit folk are senseless. Someone who blethers talks to no purpose. Has a language ever been so well equipped to abuse? Yet even in this argumentative nation, vernacular sometimes fails. New superlatives of vitriol have to be found, even if that means resorting to English. for more click here
