Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1908-1949
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GAA, n. Also ga, gaw, †gad. A parhelion or mock sun, generally regarded as a portent of bad weather (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., gaa, gad; 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh.10, Ork.5 1953, gaa). Also called sun-gaa and "according to its position, a 'gaa afore the sun' or 'a gaa ahint the sun'" (Ork. 1929 Marw.). See also Water-gaw and weather-ga(w) s.v. Weather. Cf. Gil, id.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
"A ga' afore de sun" is considered to portend bad weather.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 155:
On da 20th dir twa sun gaas, an' dat's afore a tow, if dir sna.
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"Gaa n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gaa>
