Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
Quotation dates: 1822-1920
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NODDY, n. A kind of light two-wheeled cab. having a door at the back, and a seat for the driver in front (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1889 J. Tait Border Ch. Life 288; Gall. 1925 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 33, Bwk. 1942 Wettstein). Also fig. Hence noddyful, a carriageful. Phr.: on Shanks's noddy, on Shanks' pony, on foot (Sc. 1899 Mont.-Fleming 137).Ayr. 1822 Galt Steam-Boat vi.:
There was a noddy at the door, bound for the town of Greenock; so . . . I stepped into it.Rnf. 1848 Hurlet and Nitshill Curling Club minutes :
... "it was resolved that 2 Noddies be engaged, or if there should be an omnibus in Paisley, that it be engaged for the purpose of taking the players to Hogganfield Loch ~ that Wm Goudie & Thomas McKinlay go to Paisley tomorrow and engage the vehicles, at as cheap a rate as possible ~"Gsw. 1873 A. G. Murdoch Doric Lyre 77:
Gie me a sax-mile stretch o' road On auld John Shanks's noddy.Fif. 1898 S. Tytler Mrs Carmichael's Goddesses iv.:
She required neither sedan-chair nor noddy.Rxb. 1920 Kelso Chron. (16 July) 2:
A small phaeton — known in the countryside as a “noddy” — drawn by a single pony.
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"Noddy n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/noddy>
