Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 2005 (SND, online supplement).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1988-2000
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BONEY, n. Also bonnie.
A bonfire. Also attrib.Gsw. 1988 Michael Munro The Patter Another Blast 8:
bonnie A local word for a bonfire: 'Mister, kin we go through your skip fur stuff fur wur bonnie?'Edb. 1991 Dae Ye Mind ...? Volume Three of Stories and Memories from Members of St. Ann's Reminiscence Group 16:
Bonfires came round twice a year–Victoria Day and Guy Fawkes night. This led to an upsurge in tribalism, and the boundaries were finely divided. "Easty", "Westy" (Arthur Street), Adam Street, etc.–all had gangs out foraging for bonfire wood (and perhaps helping themselves to other people's "boney" when backs were turned!).Edb. 1995 Irvine Welsh Marabou Stork Nightmares (1996) 25:
Boney nights were the best nights of the year in the scheme, Guy Fawkes because you got fireworks, but Victoria Day n aw. We'd go doon the beach tae get wood or find other boneys in the scheme and raid them.Edb. 1996:
In Edinburgh we eywis had a boney oan Victoria Day. 'Will you come tae oor boney or will Ah come tae yours?'Dundee 2000 Ellie McDonald Pathfinder 8:
Ye cudnae tell hou auld the Mini wis,
its burnt out shell abandoned at the cribbie.
A Dundee double whammy:
Setterday nicht joyride an boney.
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"Boney n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 May 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snd00090338>
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