General
heid-the-baw
What does heid-the-baw mean?
A fool or silly person; sometimes affectionate, sometimes dismissive.
"Away ye go, ya heid-the-baw."
Origin
Scots, literally 'head the ball' (as in heading a football), used figuratively of a scatterbrain.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'heid-the-baw' mean?
It means an idiot or scatterbrain. Literally 'head the ball', it can be affectionate or dismissive depending on tone.
Where does 'heid-the-baw' come from?
It's Scots for 'head the ball', as in heading a football, used figuratively of a daft or scatterbrained person.
Is 'heid-the-baw' an insult?
It's a mild insult that's often used affectionately between friends, though it does call someone daft.
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