Noun | Regional (Northern England / Scotland)
Encyclopedia of British Slang
BAIRN
Noun | Neutral | Regional (Northern England / Scotland)
BAIRN Pronunciation: /be?n/ Part of Speech: Noun Severity Level: Neutral Category: Regional (Northern England / Scotland)
Definition
Bairn means child.
Primarily used in Scotland and Northern England.
Origins
Derived from Old English bearn, meaning offspring.
It survived regionally while disappearing from standard southern usage.
Cultural Role
Bairn signals regional identity strongly.
Using it outside those regions may sound theatrical.
Example Sentences
Shes got three bairns. Poor bairn.
Assessment
Regionally rooted. Warm and domestic.
