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Gallus
01
elastic straps that hold trousers up (usually used in the plural)
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Composition
Simple
Countable
Plural form
galluses
02
common domestic birds and related forms
gallus
01
(Scottish) bold, cheeky, or confident in a showy, sometimes reckless way
Slang
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
qualitative
Superlative
most gallus
Comparative
more gallus
gradable
What does "gallus" mean in Scottish slang?
It is used in Scotland, especially in Glasgow and the West of Scotland, to mean bold, cheeky, or confident in a showy, sometimes reckless or provocative way. People typically say "He's a gallus wee lad" or "She's got a gallus attitude." The term originated in 19th or early 20th century Scottish slang, and remains a strong regional marker, often used affectionately or critically.
Examples
He 's a gallus wee lad, always talking back.
