To be more precise, the phrase that you usually hear people say is – greetin’ faced wee nyaff. Everybody knows that wee means small I suppose, but in this case it doesn’t really have anything to do with the actual size of the person, it’s just to add to the insult.
Greetin'(g) means moaning or crying.
A nyaff is a contemptible, annoying person. Nowadays they would be described in English as being a ned or a bit of a lowlife.
So, there you have it! Ya greetin’ faced wee nyaff a commonly heard insult in Scotland.
think ‘ned’ is a bit on the strong side as a synonym for’nyaff’ – always thought ‘insignificant’ to be more
descriptive with ‘pest’ an alternative..
a.rae,
I suppose it all depends on how the word nyaff is said. I find it is usually emphasised quite violently because the ‘nyaff’ is seen as more than a pest and definitely a bit on the dodgy side.
I would disagree that a nyaff as anything to do with dodgy. Nyaff is incapable through lack of intellect / strength / backbone / balls / pride / courage.
Alex,
Maybe it depends which part of Scotland you grow up in. Your definition seems to be quite wide ranging, but where I grew up nyaffs were often streetwise although not intellectual. Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to comment.
Katrina