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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

HAE, v.², n.² Also hay. Cf. Hey, int.

I. v. To say “hey”, implying indecision or doubt, to prevaricate. Gen. in phr. to hum(ph) and hae (Ork., Cai., Abd., Ags., m.Lth., Arg. 1956).ne.Sc. 1802 Edb. Mag. (July) 56:
They gape an' glowr, an' humph an' hae, An' wonder what I mean to say, As I were mantin'.Lnk. 1827 J. Watt Poems 63:
Will little said, but hum'd and hae'd, — Fu' sair his brow he dightet.Gsw. 1869 E. Johnston Poems 177:
An' I humm'd an' I hae'd till I finally said — “I'm truly in love wi' ye, Hatty.”Ags. 1887 Arbroath Guide (22 Jan.) 4:
Sae, David, dinna hum an' hay.

II. n. A hesitation (m.Lth.¹ 1956), as in phr. a hum an a hae (Abd. 1956).Per. c.1859 P. R. Drummond Bygone Days (1879) 422:
Ay, and even Mess John ance or twice gae a stammer, But brought himsel' right wi' a hum and a hae.