Terminology question

**Catdad** · 4th August 09, 12:34 PM

I ask this question in all seriousness and would not appreciate any smart aleck responses please...

I've been told a young, unmarried woman is known as a lassie or lass for short and that a young, unmarried man is known as a laddie or lad for short. What are the older, married equivalent terms for these people? Or is it once you are a lass or lad you always are?

**Jock Scot** · 4th August 09, 12:48 PM

As far as I know and I stand to be corrected, if one is older than the person you are talking to(or about) the they are "laddie", or, lassie and should be regarded a minor compliment. I think, that "lad" and "lass" are a more Nothern English term.

**skauwt** · 4th August 09, 12:49 PM

well for me
a lassie is young woman and a wummin is a women ......a laddie can be a man of any age i guess it may alter from regions though

**Catdad** · 4th August 09, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

As far as I know and I stand to be corrected, if one is older than the person you are talking to(or about) the they are "laddie", or, lassie and should be regarded a minor compliment. I think, that "lad" and "lass" are a more Nothern English term.

What about if you are younger than the the person you are talking about then?

**Jock Scot** · 4th August 09, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Catdad

What about if you are younger than the the person you are talking about then?

Do you know I have really had to think about this! Maybe being nearly 70 has something to do with it! Well, I would be known as "old" Jock so "old" is quite usual in the highlands although in this case I may have a lifetime name such as "Wee Jock" which could mean that I was actually small, although with Scots humour I could be 7ft tall and 5ft wide! On further thought, I think the younger generation give the older generation a certain amount of respect, even these days, by just saying "Jock"!

**gilmore** · 4th August 09, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Catdad

What about if you are younger than the the person you are talking about then?

You talk about your elders behind their backs? I am shocked, shocked.

**JRB** · 4th August 09, 02:40 PM

Unfortunately, when I hear the term "lassie" I think of a dog. But at least Timmy was rescued from the well.

**Wompet** · 4th August 09, 05:43 PM

Sorry.

Regarding Jock's last post - it reminded me of how we referred to my Grandfather Robertson, my uncle, and my cousin. My Grandfather was Lawrence or "Red," my uncle is "Big Larry," and my cousin is "Little Larry." My cousin is 40 years old now, and how does everyone in the family still refer to him?
"Little Larry"