Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1792-1913
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MAHOUN, prop. n. Also Mahown. A name given to the devil, freq. in phr. Auld Mahoun. Also used with exclam. force as a mild oath. [mə′hun]Ayr. 1792 Burns The Deil's Awa i.:
And ilka wife cries: — "Auld Mahoun, I wish you luck o' the prize, man!"Dmf. 1820 Blackwood's Mag. (Aug.) 510:
Freely pass over my folly! Mahown! disnae this merit a stab.Mry. 1851 W. Hay Lintie o' Moray 58:
Save us! that's surely Mahoun, Or that fearfu' Sir Robert o' Gordonstown!Sc. 1858 D. Webster Scotch Haggis 118:
To this day Mr P. enjoys the reputation of being no less a personage than auld Mahoun himself.Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 133:
Even he from whom our word of evil omen, "Mahoun" is coined.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 193:
Did but colley come in wi's tail between his legs . . . it was ta'en at ance for a token that Mahoun was aboot.
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"Mahoun prop. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 3 May 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/mahoun>
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