Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1880-1891, 1947-1991
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IME, n. Also im, äim (Jak.). [əim]
1. Soot, esp. that formed on the bottom of a pot or kettle (Sh. 1825 Jam., 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh., Ork., Cai. 1958). Also fig.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 53:
The nicht wies whumblan' ower de sea as bleck as ime.Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 85:
Yae, less! 'at spunks sae bricht sood faa ta ime!Sh. 1947 New Shetlander (March) 9:
Hert an sowl an boady seem Pickit wi aa da blœd an ime O histry.
Hence im(e)y, imi, sooty (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1958); dark, of the sky (Sh. 1958).Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 15:
I saa naethin bit a imy reeb apon his broo.Sh. 1991 William J. Tait in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 45:
An hert an sowl an boady seem
Pickit wi aa da bloed an ime
O history ...
2. A scum which forms on the surface of a liquid (Cai.4 c.1920, Cai. 1958). Also used fig.
[Norw. im, a thin coating of dust or soot, Faer. ím, soot on pots, O.N. ím, dust, ashes. Cf. Eem, n.1, v.1]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Ime n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/ime>
