"quaich" means: Any two-handled drinking vessel or trophy.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
quaich
(Scotland, by extension) Any two-handled drinking vessel or trophy.
Definitions
(Scotland, by extension) Any two-handled drinking vessel or trophy.
"quaich" means: Any two-handled drinking vessel or trophy.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
"quaich" means: Any two-handled drinking vessel or trophy.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.
Comments
(Scotland, historical) A traditional shallow, two-handled cup of Scottish origin symbolizing friendship, originally used to toast the arrival or departure of a visitor.
Quaich means: A traditional shallow, two-handled cup of Scottish origin symbolizing friendship, originally used to toast the arrival or departure of a visitor.. The word is mostly archaic or historical; you will only encounter it in old texts, period drama, or school history rather than current teen conversation. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
quaich means: A traditional shallow, two-handled cup of Scottish origin symbolizing friendship, originally used to toast the arrival or departure of a visitor.. Register: informal, Scottish English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
Comments
For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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- waucht65%
(Scotland) A large draught of any liquid.
- waucht60%
A waucht (also spelled waught) is a Scottish word for a big, hearty swig or draught of liquid — usually something alcoholic. It's not a delicate sip; it's a proper, lung-filling gulp. Robert Burns famously used it in "Auld Lang Syne" — "we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet" vibes, but even more vivid. The word has a satisfying weight to it that perfectly captures the act of throwing back a generous mouthful. Rare outside Scotland but instantly understood by anyone who loves old Scots vocabulary.
- beaker60%
A drinking vessel without a handle.
- usquebaugh60%
(chiefly, Ireland, Scotland, dated, or, archaic) Whiskey or whisky.