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Gorbals kiss
01
(Scottish) a headbutt, typically delivered in a fight
Dated
Idiom
Informal
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
Gorbals kisses
What does "Gorbals kiss" mean in Scottish slang?
The structure combines "Gorbals" (a district in Glasgow historically known for rough, working class poverty and toughness) with "kiss" (ironic, as this is the opposite of affectionate), forming a darkly humorous nickname for a violent act. It is used in Scotland, especially in Glasgow and surrounding areas, to mean a headbutt, typically delivered in a fight as an aggressive, close range attack. People typically say "He gave him a Gorbals kiss" or "A Gorbals kiss sorted that argument."
Examples
He gave him a Gorbals kiss in the scuffle.



























