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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1885
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†PEYS AUNT, n. The phosphorescence sometimes seen around a ship's masts after a storm, St. Elmo's fire.Abd. 1885 Folk-Lore Jnl. III. 306:
St. Elmo's light is called by the old fishermen of Footdee "Peys Aunt."
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"Peys Aunt n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/peys_aunt>
