scarlet

What it means

1. 1.

   Mortified with embarrassment. Used of yourself, and — this is the Irish part — of someone else on their behalf: 'I'm scarlet for ya'.

In use

• I called the teacher Mam. I was scarlet.

• Scarlet for ya, babe.

  Note: Young Dublin speech, often said with relish rather than sympathy.

Where it comes from

From the colour of blushing, made into an adjective for the whole emotional state. The vicarious construction 'scarlet for you' spread nationally from Dublin teenage speech in the 2000s and is now the form most people quote.

Other forms

Similar terms:

mortified