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 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

AIVIS, Aives, Aivies, †Aavis, n. A silly or useless occupation, a trick. [′e:vɪs]Abd.¹³ 1910:
If I had been at any little job of my own, [my father] would have said, “Ye're aye at some orra aivies, lassie. Gae wa tae yer work, for ye winna mak' muckle at that.” It would also mean a silly kind of a job and another meaning for it . . . would be “a feel caiper.”Abd.⁶ 1914:
Aavis, a trick, but this form is long obs.Abd.(D) 1915 H. Beaton At the Back o' Benachie (Gloss.) 187:
Aives, trick, fad.Abd.¹⁵ 1928:
Fat aivis mith she be on noo? The nickum's aye at some aivis or idder.Bch. 1914 T.S.D.C. I. 14:
“Gae awa' wi' yer aivises,” said by a woman to a man who was teasing her.