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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MAINNER, n. Also mainer (Fif. 1703 L. Macbean Kirkcaldy Burgh Rec. (1908) 221; Sc. 1818 S. Ferrier Marriage I. xxxiv., Kcb. 1911 G. M. Gordon Clay Biggin 170); menner (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb vii.; ne.Sc. 1928 J. Wilson Hamespun 41); ¶mainthir (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 94). Gen.Sc. forms and usages of Eng. manner. See P.L.D. § 49. (1). Hence mennered, -t, mannered (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xx.; Uls. 1897 A. McIlroy Lint in the Bell ix.); mainnerly, mannerly (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xix.). [′menər]

Sc. forms of Eng. manner (mainner Bnff., Ags., Edb., Ayr., Dmf., Rxb.; menner Sh. 2000s). Ags. 1994 Mary McIntosh in James Robertson A Tongue in Yer Heid 147:
... the letter drappit through the door. In a broon envelope it wis, aa ofeecial like wi my name an address typit oan it, an half stuck doon at that. Boorocracy disnae hae the time tae feenish ony joab in a wice-like menner, I say.

In pl. Sc. forms of Eng. manners (mainners Bnff., Abd., Ags., Edb., Ayr., Dmf., Rxb.; menners Sh. 2000s). Ags. 1988 Raymond Vettese The Richt Noise 79:
"Father," says she,
"mind your menners." "Whit?" bawls he,
convenient deif whiles, "Whit?"ne.Sc. 1991 Ken Morrice in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 60:
O, you maun forgie my menners.
Sit you doon, I'll pit aff the TV,
and get the money.Dundee 1994 Matthew Fitt in James Robertson A Tongue in Yer Heid 178:
The young lad hud goat himsel fankilt up in a dug's lead, a wee scottie nyaffin at his feet an a bowsie wyfie wi a blue rinse yappin at him tae hae mair mennirs, ...w.Lth. 2000 Davie Kerr A Puckle Poems 59:
Wi shouthers square't, they roll a wee,-
thir mainners an thir bearin,
inspires the hert an prides the ee,-
a feelin aa can share in.

Sc. usages:

†1. In pl., used attrib. to signify the last morsel of food left on the plate, it being considered good manners not to empty the plate completely.Sc. 1828 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 108:
The last eister — the mainners eister — it's but a wee ane, or it hadna been there.

2. Method, orderliness.Abd. 1923 B. R. M'Intosh Scent o' the Broom 13:
I raise frae my bed i' the grey o' the licht, And rugged on my claes wi' less mainner than micht.