General
scheme
What does scheme mean?
A local-authority housing estate; a 'schemie' is a (often derogatory) resident of one.
"He grew up in a scheme on the edge o' toon."
Origin
Scots, from 'housing scheme', the official term for council estates.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'scheme' mean in Scottish slang?
It's a council housing estate — the everyday Scots word for a local-authority housing scheme.
What is a 'schemie'?
A resident of a scheme. It's often used derogatorily to imply someone rough or working-class, so use it with care.
Where does the word come from?
From the official term 'housing scheme', which is how council estates are formally described in Scotland.
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