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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CHANGE, v. Special Sc. applications.

1. To exchange (Bnff.², Abd.², Edb.¹ 1939; Gall. 1898 E.D.D.).Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet, Letter vi.:
I will change no more words with you on the subject.Slk. 1807 Hogg Mountain Bard (1865) 88:
Turn round and change a blow with me, Or by the righteous powers aboon, I'll hew the arm from thy bodye. In phr. to be changed, of a child: to be left as a changeling. Also found in n.Lin. dial. (E.D.D.).Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 201:
She was alooed to be a wonnerfu' braw woman . . . an' my granny never liked her, — said she was “changed.”

Hence changed fock, changelings.Slk. 1818 Hogg Hunt of Eildon in Brownie of Bodsbeck, etc. II. 258:
The twa witches, or fairies, or changed fock, . . . didna speak that language themselves.

2. Of milk: to turn sour (Cai.⁷ 1939); of meat, etc.: to decompose (Sc. 1905 E.D.D. Suppl.; Bnff.², Abd.⁹ 1939). Also found in Eng. dial. (E.D.D.).

3. Phrases: (1) to change one's breath, to have a drink (Bnff.², Abd.², Fif.¹⁰, Kcb.⁹ 1939); (2) to change one's feet, “to put on dry shoes and stockings” (Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.); known to Bnff.², Abd.¹⁹, Ags.¹⁷, Fif.¹, Edb.¹, Arg.¹, Lnk.³ 1939; (3) to change oneself, to change one's clothes; Gen.Sc. except I.Sc.(1) Ags. c.1912 (per Fif.¹):
I have heard a man ask another, “D'ye care to change your breath?” — offering him a flask of whisky.(2) Sc. 1859 E. B. Ramsay Reminisc. iv.:
She did not change her feet when she came in from the wet.Abd.(D) publ. 1867 Mrs Allardyce Goodwife at Home xviii.:
I'm sere ye'll need to change yer feet, Ye've widden throu the mire.m.Sc. 1922 J. Buchan Huntingtower x.:
Losh, ye're fair soppin'. And your shoon! Ye maun change your feet.(3) Sc. 1727 P. Walker Six Saints (Fleming 1901) I. 161: 
When she came home, before she changed her self.Sc. 1834 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) IV. 5:
But won't you walk into the Tent, and change yourself, sir?Gsw. 1913 F. Niven Ellen Adair xxii.:
“Changed himself,” as he persisted in calling what his wife assured him he should call “changed my clothes.”