SLANG such as “dingie”, “numpty” and “cooncil curtains” could be included in the first updated compilation of the Scots language in decades.

Colloquialisms are to be included in the Concise Scots Dictionary, which is to be put together by the Scottish Language Dictionary charity.

Experts due to gather next year at the first-ever global conference on slang said it needs to be taken more seriously as words can become ingrained in the language, rather than exist as just fleeting local or regional terms.

Dr Maggie Scott, a researcher in Scots and Scottish English at Salford University and one of the speakers at next year’s conference, said slang can be difficult to classify, particularly in Scots.

She said: “It’s difficult enough to decide if Scots is a dialect or a language. The fleeting nature of a word can determine if it’s slang or not.

“If it’s a word you can use with three different generations of your family, it’s more likely become part of the language.

The Scottish Government has provided £200,000 to the charity Scottish Language Dictionaries this year towards the updated Concise Scots Dictionary.

First compiled in 1985, new entries will be taken by volunteer readers and contributions, but need to be verified by at least three sources.

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See: Scotsman