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: 1822-1945
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MEGSTIE, int. Also megsty, megisty (Per., Fif., Lth. 1915–26 Wilson); mextie, -y; mixtie (Ags. 1907; Fif.14 1945); michsty; meggins(tie), merginstie (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); maiginty, -ties (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 111). Also ¶derivs. mextyfou, -fu. An exclamation of surprise, distress or disapproval. Usu. in phr. megstie me! Gen.(exc. I.)Sc.Ayr. 1822 Galt Sir A. Wylie ciii.:
Eh! megsty, maister! I thought ye were soun' sleeping.Edb. 1844 J. Ballantine Miller ii., xii.:
Mextyfou me, Denhaugh, are ye here. . . . Mextyfu me, Jock! is this you?Lnk. 1881 A. Wardrop J. Mathison's Courtship 15:
But, megsty me, what an alteration — the wa's are a' white-washed.Bnff. 1895 N. Roy Horseman's Word x.:
Megsty me, sic a braw horseman!Bwk. 1912 J. Burleigh Ednam 133:
The goodwife draws breath by uttering the one word "Megstie".s.Sc. 1945 L. Derwent Tammy Troot 6:
"Oh, mexty me," he cried, in great distress. "What's happened to ye, Rab?"
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"Megstie interj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/megstie>
