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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GUFF, n.³, v.³ Also gouf(f), gowf(f), goff, ¶gouph. [Sc. gʌf, but n.Sc., s.Sc. gʌuf]

I. n. 1. A low but slightly explosive sound, such as the low bark of a dog, the snuffling sound made by a pig (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), guff, goff; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh. 1955); a short, suppressed laugh, a snort (Abd.⁸ c.1920, gowff; Cai.⁷ 1954).Sh. 1898 Shetland News (16 July):
Da hens took sic a claagin. Dat's whin da gaut [hog] is geen doon by wi' a guff an' gluff'd dem.Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 131:
“Sly” wis wi' me an' got up wi' a guff, an' begood ta bark.Cai. 1932 John o' Groat Jnl. (18 Nov.):
Charlie gave a gouff o' a lauch.

2. Also guffie. A name given to a pig (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., guffie; Slk. 1955); a call-name for a pig (Ork. 1929 Marw.). Also used as a term of reproach (Rxb. 1914, guffie). Per. 1990 Betsy Whyte Red Rowans and Wild Honey (1991) 144:
'That farmer we were working for is a pure guffie. He has been charging us a sixpence for a thimble-full o' skimmed milk, and a shillin' for a handful o' hay for the ponies. ... ' Abd. 1990 Stanley Robertson Fish-Hooses (1992) 33:
She screeched oot like a banshee and ran oot squealing like a guffie. e.Lth. 1997:
A guffie's just a pig.

II. v. 1. To snort, to snuffle (I.Sc. 1955); to yelp, to bark (Jak.).Sc. 1709 Acct. of Pretended Prophets 7:
So far from having the Voice of a Levite, that if Modesty would allow, it seems like the Guffings of a Swine when it's lost its Company.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Just listen tae the grice gaan guffin aboot after meat.Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow 154:
A boannie, peerie, fleckit grice Ran fae da hummel skew, An guffin plaesedly till hitsell Set aff oot ower da broo.

2. To cackle (with laughter); to babble, talk foolishly, in phr. to guff and talk (Teviotd. 1825 Jam.; ‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1955).Per. 1766 A. Nicol Poems 20:
O Sanny syne will heartsome be, And for lang groans gouf up, Ti hi.Slk. 1820 Hogg Winter Ev. Tales II. 154:
Word of this was brought to John Scott the farmer, commonly called gouffin' Jock.Ags. 1867 G. W. Donald Poems 165:
The ae nicht, my sorrow to slacken, I ca'd them ilk name that was vile; The neist, I was gouphin an' crackin', Transported wi' ilka sweet smile.

3. To belch (Rxb. 1900 E.D.D.; Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow, Gl.; Sh., Ags., Fif., Slk. 1955); to retch, to vomit (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein). Vbl.n. guffin, the wake of a motor-boat at full speed (Sh. 1975). wm.Sc. 1998 Alan Warner The Sopranos (1999) 153:
... she tried to do a big smile, teeth so white cause her face was red, but she guffed out a big sob again.