Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HAPPEN, v., tr. Also heppen (Slk. 1899 C. M. Thomson Drummeldale 158); haipen (ne.Sc. 1891 A. Gordon Carglen 221). To happen to, to befall (Lth., Lnk., Slk. 1956). Now obs. or dial. in Eng. Orig. from use of dative with ellipse of to.Edb. 1798 D. Crawford Poems 38:
The fate That soon will happen Kirk or State.Slg. 1885 W. Towers Poems 56:
Some dreadful dool shall happen us.Lth. 1892 J. Lumsden Sheep-Head 311:
Has anything happened Hootsman?

Ppl.adj. happenin(g), casual, occasional, chance (Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 12; Rxb., Slk. 1956).Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St Patrick III. iii.:
Some o' the Drumalbin or Strathearn fo'k it may come doun at a hap'ner [sic] time wi' a drove o' nowt, or seekin' tae pick a quarrel.Lnk. 1895 W. C. Fraser Whaups of Durley xii.:
If it wasna for a happening visitor looking in at orra times.Bwk. 1900 A.T.G. Ann. Thornlea 10:
He might just make a happ'nin' remark to the Inspector.Per. 1902 E.D.D.:
Mrs So and So was here to-day, but it was only a happening call.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A happenin' visiter. A happenin' yin or twae . . . He gaed there at a happenin' time.s.Sc. 1952 Scotsman (6 Dec.):
Fly fishers accounted for 120 at Boleside. Edinburgh anglers caught 30 at The Nest, and others had “a happenin beast” at Fairnalee.