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 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GANDIEGOW, n., v. Also gandi-; -go, gandy-. [′gɑndɪ′gʌu, ′gandi′go]

I. n. 1. An uproar, a noisy quarrel (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., gandigow, ‡Sh. 1954); a nonsensical prank (Rs. (Avoch) 1911; Cai. 1954); “blustering talk; loud complaint” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 73:
Come, nane o' yir gandiegows.

2. A squall of wind and rain, a heavy shower. Cf. Gandaguster. In pl.: “appearance on sea to ‘eastert' before a heavy gale” (Bwk. (Eyemouth) 1916).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
A gandigo o' rain.Ags. 1916 per Mry.²:
Gandigows o' May, easterly burst of wind in May.

†3. A blow, punishment (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).

†II. v. Fig. To behave riotously.Edb. 1787 Burns Letters (Ferguson) No. 77:
These base jades who, in her own words, lie up gandygoin with their filthy fellows, drinking the best of wines, and singing abominable songs.