The word ‘outwith’

[HBStowe]

Trying to settle an argument with a colleague. He’s English and works in England, I’m Scottish and work in Scotland (in case it’s relevant).

So... do you use / regularly come across the word ‘outwith’? I.e. ‘If you are trying to email me outwith opening hours please use my personal address’.

My colleague says it’s not a real word. I say it definitely is and I encounter it all the time. Is this a thing? Is it a proper word? I notice it’s underlined in red on my phone which doesn’t bode well, but I am absolutely certain I’ve seen this word in use before in other places.

What’s the verdict MN?

"PMSL at someone using the word “cromulent” accusing others of being pretentious."

Oh dear!

Love these threads for the wide eyed ignorance that comes with them. How bloody hard can it be to figure out what "outwith" means? It's pretty self explanatory.

Only ever heard it used in Scotland. Not in everyday English usage. Like "minded", which I'd never heard outside Scotland until John Major said it one day since which time it's been taken up by MPs and their mates. Hear it quite often now.

I too am Scottish and use outwith a lot. My DD1 works in London and her colleagues had never heard the word being used.

My colleague says it’s not a real word

You could tell your colleague that he's a bawbag. He can't be offended, bawbag isn't a real word either, right?

Outwith means outside of.

There is no better word in anyone's language than dreich. Excellent descriptive word, positively dripping weather and gloom to make you shiver.

I had no idea until now that it was a Scottish thing! I'm in Scotland and use it a lot. What is the alternative work?

Its definitely a word. I use it all the time (Glasgow girl here).

@HBStowe I wouldn’t stop using it at all. It’ll be a chance for your English colleagues to expand their vocabulary. You’re all in U.K. after all. They can learn to deal with it. :)

@YourEggnogIsBetterThanMine exactly! :)

I use it frequently.

So weird - I saw it on two separate threads today and remarked to DH how strange it was that I’d never heard it before and then read it twice in five minutes. He’d not heard of it either. I’m glad this thread settles it!

jimmyhill I agree, perfectly cromulent. I'm hoping this thread has embiggened people's lexicons.

I love the word 'outwith', picked up the term when living in Scotland and now use it frequently!

With regards to 'without a city wall' meaning outside of the city wall, there is a small village (hamlet?) just on the edge of Stamford called St Martin's Without. I always presumed it meant outside of the main town, so it wasn't an usual term to me.

I use it. Also Scottish, born in the east, now live in the west, and used in both areas.

I like without as well- as in “without a city wall”. I live near a church called St Thomas Without.

Oops-should read before posting.

Never heard of it.

Is there a word of the day thread wherein we could introduce the word of the day into at least one conversation outwith.

Barristers in England seem to use it a lot.

I think ‘outwith’ is a lovely word, very poetic. I use it but tbh only usually hear Scottish people using it (I’m not Scots). One of my other great faves is the welsh word ‘cwtch’ pronounced ‘cooch’ which means something between a hug and a cuddle. Ah!

I wonder if it’s uses in other English speaking countries like the US or Australia.

separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2006/10/outwith-and-diet-scottish-factor.html

?

Alternatively I wonder if the wonderful Ben Yagoda could help ?

notoneoffbritishisms.com/

Minded is old fashioned legal/Civil Service speak, isn’t it? “I am minded to approve the application.....

I’m English and live outwith Scotland (in England) and I use it.

Have been married to a Scot for over 20 years though, for full disclosure.

I hadn't encountered it until I went to university in Scotland- however it's a hadn't word and I use it all the time now. Another Scottish only word I love is 'timeous'- means in a timely fashion. Can't understand why that isn't used more widely. People don't really blink when I use out with, but timeous/ to always gets comments

I'm Scottish and use outwith lots. We even got a very London-centric (occasional visits to the office) using it.

Are Scottish folk allowed their own words now!!