What it means
Pure Glaswegian magic this one. Means bold, cheeky, full of swagger, maybe a wee bit reckless but in a way that makes folk smile rather than scowl. Got roots in old Scots meaning daring or wild, and Glasgow made it entirely its own. Being gallus is walking into a room like you own it even when you've got a fiver to your name. Confidence without the posh, just pure front.
Usage examples
"Wee Jamie walked straight up to the headteacher and asked for the afternoon off because the weather was too nice, gallus wee man so he is."
"She walked up to the mic gallus as anything and had the whole room laughing in seconds."
"Pure gallus, that wee one, told the teacher the homework bored the dog so the dog ate it."
Where it comes from
It likely comes from gallows: a gallus character was once gallows-worthy, the rogue bold or wild enough to end up on the scaffold. Glasgow softened the menace and kept the swagger, so today being gallus is all daring and front, no noose required.
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