Does It Chook!

Started reading Christopher Brookmyre's Etched In Blood And Hard Black Pencil which combines a modern day murder with the main protagonist's memories of school. The following passage fleetingly drew back the mists of time for me.

'We're gettin split up,' announces Joanne. 'The brainy wans are goin in wi the Primary Fours an the rest are gettin took tae the Church Hall.'

This gives Martin a moment's discomfort as he considers how little he fancies the idea of being thrown in - physically or academically - with the bigger ones currently lining up alongside. Then he remembers that it's Joanne who is saying it.

'Are we chook,' says Colin, voicing Martin's thoughts for him.

Chook is the latest word to come into regular usage, exclusively to express disbelief. Is it chook, did ye chook, will I chook. He doesn't know what the word itself means or its derivation; and nor, he is sure, does anyone else. Martin has no problem comprehending the playground's neologisms, but is frustrated by how they can be unheard of one week and then common coinage to all but him the next. He suspects it must be because lots of the other boys play together away from school. Most of them live in the Braeview scheme, in the council houses where Martin's grandparents stay. Martin lives in the new houses up the hill towards the Carnock Brae.

I remember the word 'chook' suddenly coming into use at my secondary school, I can't recall where it came from, just that for a while it became part of the common language at school.

This and other phrases such as 'To the side...' and 'Don't mess with the best or you'll end up like the rest' just seemed to appear out of the ether.

Brookmyre always provides an entertaining read. His recollection of the details of everyday life in Scotland, his colourful use of language, and his completely over the top plot lines combined with biting satire make every book a must read.

Anyone who can write a novel featuring a bank robbery carried out by five people dressed up as Zal Cleminson to the soundtrack of Faith Healer by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band deserves a medal. It's almost enough to make you forgive him for supporting St Mirren...

Does anyone recall any other strange words or phrases from their schooldays?

Link : Christopher Brookmyre's site