General
besom
What does besom mean?
A term for a woman or girl, ranging from affectionately cheeky to disparaging.
"She's a wee besom, that yin."
Origin
Scots, from 'besom' (a broom), applied jocularly to a woman.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'besom' mean when applied to a person?
It's a Scots term for a woman or girl that ranges from affectionately cheeky to mildly disparaging, depending on tone.
Why is a woman called a 'besom'?
The word originally means a broom made of twigs, and it was applied jocularly to a woman.
Is calling someone a 'besom' rude?
Often it's affectionate, especially with 'wee', but it can be mildly insulting depending on how it's said.
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