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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

THO, adv., conj. Also thoch (Sc. 1788 Scots Mag. (Nov.) 558; Peb. 1793 R. D. C. Brown Hist. Dramas V.), thouch (Abd. 1879 G. MacDonald Sir Gibbie xxviii.), and, after Eng. (now dial.), thof(f) (Edb. 1772 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 67, 73, 82, Lth. 1808 Jam.; Ags. 1826 A. Balfour Highland Mary I. xii.); I.Sc. forms to (Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 28, Ork. 1915 Old-Lore Misc. VIII. i. 39, I.Sc. 1972); toe (Sh. 1906 T. P. Ollason Spindrift 64), toh (Sh. 1953 New Shetlander No. 36. 16); misprinted thoo (Ags. 1892 A. Reid Howetoon 133). Sc. forms of Eng. though (Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 47; m.Lth. 1870 J. Lauder Warblings 33). [θo:; I.Sc. to:] Used adv., as in colloq. or obsol. Eng., with inferential or concessive force: then, indeed; all the same, for all that, still. Gen.Sc.Rnf. 1825 Gaberlunzie 130–1:
“It's nane my faut,” said the boy, “It's so tho',” replied the girl.Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 104:
Did ye tho? I will, tho.Ags. 1921 D. H. Edwards Fisher Folks 170:
Ah! but tho' an' I cud speak, I wid tell ye fat like ye are.Lth. 1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 110:
He came in a wee whilie, though.Mry. 1927 E. B. Levack Lossiemouth 10:
A winna tak' anither nicht upo' me tho'.wm.Sc. 1928 J. Corrie Last Day 9:
It's a penny a pun' dearer tho'.Abd. 1929 Abd. Univ. Review (March) 131:
A eence did get a fleg tho'.