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: 1786-1882
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MOISTIFY, v. To moisten, to wet, esp. used jocularly of topers drinking. Appar. a coinage of Burns.Ayr. 1786 Burns Earnest Cry xxxii.:
Scotland, my auld, respected Mither! Tho' whiles ye moistify your leather.Rxb. 1807 J. Ruickbie Wayside Cottager 186:
A whisky soss To moistify your middle.Rnf. 1840 J. Mitchell Wee Steeple's Ghaist 119:
Then when at e'en sworn frien's convene To moistify their leather.Sc. 1862 A. Hislop Proverbs 263:
Some are gay drouthy, but ye're aye moistified.Edb. 1882 J. Walker Jaunt to Auld Reekie 87:
[They] moistified their drouthy clay Wi rousin brandy-whitters O' punch.
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"Moistify v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/moistify>
