Well Met?

[CDNSushi]

While until Jock posted I had never seen "Outwith" before. I now find that Outwith is a uniquely Scottish word so perhaps that is why.

I was going to say the exact same thing myself, but Steve beat me to it. "Outwith" until I saw Jock using it here, has never been a term I've encountered before, nor does any standard dictionary I use, seem to think it's an actual word. That's when I concluded that it might be a unique Jock-ism (nothing wrong with that -- I make up my own words too as I go along), OR it was a very Scottish thing.

English is a fascinating topic. Especially when you start introducing some of the less mainstream varieties, like East Indian English, or Filipino English... Both have some very unique quirks as well.

[Jock Scot]

Rest assured I am not cleaver enough to come up with "outwith" all on my own!

"Outwith" is a word that is readily used in Scotland, although perhaps more so in the Highlands and in my experience, the agricultural community throughout the UK. Rex is familiar with the term, I am sure.

[Jock Scot]

There is a term still used by my family, it being, "fort-wit". It means right away. I'm sure it is derived from "forth with."

Another term that baffles many non relatives is, "toot-sweet." That also means right away. I can only guess it began as, "to (short for toward) swift."

The first phrase in context, is soon rather than later, the second requires running.

I think you will find that "toot-sweet" is the Anglicised version of the French "toute-de-suite"(straight away).

"Forthwith" according to my father who was a senior RN officer meant, not now---but YESTERDAY!

[Domehead]

"Outwith" is a word that is readily used in Scotland, although perhaps more so in the Highlands and in my experience, the agricultural community throughout the UK. Rex is familiar with the term, I am sure.

That would suffice the logic, Sir, as my my original four emigre's (1923-1925) were not Urban Scots: Stanego, Blairgowrie & Cliesh by-way-of Blairgowrie. They set up four farms just south of Niagara Falls from Wilson, NY east to Olcott then south to Burt & Newfane. Makes sense to me.
Ryan

[The Wizard of BC]

We don't have to go quite as far as JD did to find differences.

When I first came to Canada I went to the Post Office and was met with a sign saying -

"Please queue at an alternate wicket"

Although I knew the words, and could understand them, I just stood there dumbstruck.

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more."

[cizinec]

I notice that quite often the expression, "Well met" is used here. It is not an expression that I am familiar with and in fact, I don't think its used in the UK. I can see its a form of friendly greeting, but to me, it does not altogether make sense. Can anyone explain more about it, please?

Well, as a mildly Texified Okie I can tell you that we have our share of linguistic oddities. I've never heard "well met" before either. I think if I heard it, I'd think it was some kind of oilfield equipment. As in: The well would be producing by now, but we had to fish a well met lost downhole.

[ratspike]

I've seen it written lots of times, but only in fantasy books and forums that swing that way. I've only heard it used IRL by people into fantasy books, RPGs and LARPing, pirates, and ren fair folks. It's a little odd to see someone using it as a greeting outside of geekdom but I think it's fabulous. Chapeau, Tarheel.

[CDNSushi]

Indeed... I've been thinking about it, and finally the penny dropped. I think I know where the popularity of the expression may come from. Not the expression itself, mind you, but the popularity.

It just occurred to me that "Well met" is one of the greetings used by the NPCs in World of Warcraft. And specifically, the male dwarves, who all speak with a Scottish accent. Considering that WoW has had WELL over 10 million subscribers, the fact that some of these WoWisms might leak into our vernacular is of little surprise, especially considering the Scottish trope being the common connection.

And in case you're wondering, I found a list of all the utterances from the game for NPC male dwarves.

"Ya got my attention."
"How are ya?"
"Lo!"
"Well met."
"What's on your mind?"
"Great t' meet ya."
"Watch yer back!"
"Be good!"
"What can I do fer ya?"
"Keep your feet on the ground."
"Aye?"
"Interest ya'n a pint?"
"You're not amusing" (irritated)
"That's not funny."(irritated)
"You're startin' to bother me." (irritated)
"What can I get for ya today?" (Male Vendor)
"I've the finest wares in the land!" (Male Vendor)

[neloon]

Jock said:
"How do you do?", "How are you?", "Nice to meet you." "Long time no see!" How are you doing?" would be a fairly usual verbal greeting here.
Or, in the Northeast of Scotland, "Fit like?". Work that one out, you Gaelic experts!

Alan

[neloon]

Considering that WoW has had WELL over 10 million subscribers, the fact that some of these WoWisms might leak into our vernacular is of little surprise, especially considering the Scottish trope being the common connection.

And in case you're wondering, I found a list of all the utterances from the game for NPC male dwarves.

"Ya got my attention."
"How are ya?"
"Lo!"
"Well met."
"What's on your mind?"
"Great t' meet ya."
"Watch yer back!"
"Be good!"
"What can I do fer ya?"
"Keep your feet on the ground."
"Aye?"
"Interest ya'n a pint?"
"You're not amusing" (irritated)
"That's not funny."(irritated)
"You're startin' to bother me." (irritated)
"What can I get for ya today?" (Male Vendor)
"I've the finest wares in the land!" (Male Vendor)

For the avoidance of confusion, with the possible exception of "Aye?", these are not (peculiarly) Scottish expressions.
Alan