A colloquialism is a word, phrase, or paralanguage that is employed in conversational or informal language but not in formal speech or formal writing. Dictionaries often display colloquial words and phrases with the abbreviation colloq. as an identifier. Colloquialisms are sometimes referred to collectively as "colloquial language".

Colloquialisms include words (such as y'all, gonna, and wanna), phrases (such as old as the hills, raining cats and dogs, and dead as a doornail) and aphorisms (such as There's more than one way to skin a cat).

Generally, colloquialisms are specific to a geographical region; although, they are also spread through "everyday" conversation and, increasingly, through informal online interactions. An example of the regional specificity of colloquialisms is the term used when referring to "soft drinks". In the Upper Midwestern United States and Canada, soft drinks are called "pop", whilst in other areas, notably the Northeastern and far Western United States, they are referred to as "soda". In some areas of Scotland, the term "ginger" is used.

Karen Sheila Gillan (born 28 November 1987) is a Scottish actress and former model who is mostly known for her portrayal of Amy Pond in the British science fiction series Doctor Who.

Gillan was born and brought up in Inverness, Scotland. Her father, Raymond John Gillan, a Day Centre Manager, and mother, Marie Gillan née Paterson, live in Kinmylies. She learned to play the piano when she was seven. She has no brothers or sisters. At a young age, she developed a love for acting, joining several local youth theatre groups and taking part in a wide range of productions at her school, Charleston Academy. When she was sixteen, Gillan decided to use her interest in acting, studying at Edinburgh's Telford College. Later, she got a place at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts drama school in London on the BA (Hons) Acting degree course. Gillan moved to London when she was 18 to study at drama school.

Before Gillan became an actress, she was scouted by a modelling agency.

Gillan worked as a model in 2007's London Fashion Week for designer Allegra Hicks' autumn/winter catwalk show and the launch party of Nicola Roberts' Dainty Doll Make-Up Range. This was shown in Roberts' episode of the documentary, The Passions of Girls Aloud^{[citation needed]} which premiered on 4 April 2008. Gillan has said she wouldn't give up her acting career to return back to modelling. She stated that she enjoyed modelling but acting was always her main interest and goal.