Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1778-1925
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ELFIN, Elfan, n. The country of the elves, elfland; also used as a euphemism for hell (ne.Sc. 1909 Abd. Free Press (6 Oct.)).Abd. 1778 A. Ross Helenore 70:
Let be, she'll keep the King of Elfin's ky.Sc. a.1800 Q. of Elphan's Nourice iii. in Child Ballads (1882) I. 359:
Waken Queen of Elfan, An hear your nourice moan.Bnff. 1844 T. Anderson Poems 77:
The muckle thief to Elfin whisk ye.Abd. 1865 R. Dinnie Birse 35–36:
There is one phrase, formerly much used, which I have repeatedly heard said to any person who had gone a short journey and stayed beyond the time he was expected to return, "Ye hae surely been in Elfin or Elflan'".ne.Sc. 1914 G. Greig Folk-Song c.:
The Laird o' Elfin stands on yon hill, Ba, ba, ba, leelie, ba; And he blaws his trumpet lood and shrill.Abd.7 1925:
Elfin, elfland, sometimes has the meaning of Hades, as when one says "Ye may gyang t' elfin for me."
Hence comb. elfin-lowe, hell-fire.Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ i. xxiv.:
Gin a wee bit sufferin' the noo maks ye sae unpatient, what wull elfin-lowe dae hereaifter?
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"Elfin n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 4 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/elfin>
