Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MONIMENT, n. Also mon(n)iment, monyment, -mint. Sc. forms and usage of Eng. monument; fig., of a person, animal or thing: one who or which is prominent for some objectionable or ridiculous quality, a “sight”, a laughing-stock, “monument” of iniquity, a reprobate, rascal, a silly or impudent person (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Cai. 1954 Scotsman (9 March); Sh., n.Sc., Ags., Per. 1963). Deriv. monimental, stupid with drink, blind drunk. Also adv.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xlix.:
Oonless the “viackle” — saw ye ever sic a moniment o' a thing, Meg — sud be . . . pitten o' the hen reist.Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 42:
Gaen stravaigin . . . ower da face o' da eart like a benummed monyment.Abd. 1884 D. Grant Lays & Leg. 42:
Then he got his beasties ready Moniments o' skin an' bane.Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Buddie 81:
He's nedder moniment or snül, Bit haes da brain.Cai. 1891 D. Stephen Gleanings 133:
Cockach moniment, gentle Johndie, wi' his hat stuck on the back o' his head, and heich heelies on bis beets.Mry. 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. 86:
Come awa', ye lazy monymint. Fat's keepit ye a' this time?Abd. 1922 Swatches o' Hamespun 79:
“Upsettin' moniment,” snarled the middler, “pride gyangs afore a fa'”.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
He was fair monimental (also “monimental drunk”).Bnff. 1956 Banffshire Advertiser (5 April):
“Ye young monniment,” snarled the guardian of law and order, and charged.

Phr.: facing the monument, By capital punishment (see 1990 quot.).Gsw. 1990 Scotland on Sunday 9 Sep :
One hundred and fifty years ago, they were still executing prisoners on the Green. The condemned dies "facing the monument" Nelson's Monument which became a euphemism for capital punishment in Glasgow.Sc. 1994 Scotsman 22 Feb :
After him, Glaswegians could no longer insult each other by saying: "You'll die facing the Monument" - ie, you'll be hanged.
Public executions in the city used to take place in Jail Square, in front of the South Prison where the "old" High Court now stands, and by tradition the gallows faced Glasgow Green and the statue of Nelson.