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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

HOIDIN, n. Also hoiddin, hoyden (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); hoidien; hoideen, hoyd(d)een (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.); hoitien (Jak.). An I.Sc. tabu-name for a clergyman (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 10). [′hɔidin]Ork. 1884 R. M. Fergusson Rambles 165:
Ministers must not be spoken of either. They are mentioned as Upstanders, hoydeen, or prestingolva.
Sh. 1949 Scots Mag. (Nov.) 131:
The clergyman . . . was the beniman in one district, the hoidin in another.

[Orig. doubtful. Phs. ad. Dan. høvding, O.N. hǫfðingi, a chief man, a leader, but the phonology is difficult and there may have been confusion in form with Sh. Norn hoidin, Dan. høide, a height, summit, as if = one who stands high (in the pulpit). Cf. Upstander, id.]

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"Hoidin n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hoidin>

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