General
but 'n' ben
What does but 'n' ben mean?
A traditional simple cottage of two rooms — the 'but' (outer/kitchen) and the 'ben' (inner room).
"They retired tae a wee but 'n' ben in the country."
Origin
Scots, 'but' (outer room) and 'ben' (inner room), from directional prepositions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a but 'n' ben?
A traditional two-roomed Scottish cottage. The 'but' is the outer room or kitchen and the 'ben' is the inner room.
Why is it called a but 'n' ben?
'But' and 'ben' are old Scots directional words for the outer and inner rooms of a house, so a two-room cottage is literally a 'but-and-ben'.
Is it still used today?
Yes, often nostalgically or for a small country or holiday cottage.
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