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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WASP, n. Also wesp (Wgt. 1912 A.O.W.B. Fables 55); wisp (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl); and in reduced forms, from the met. form waps (also found in Eng. dial.), esp. in children's usage, wap (Cai. 1934), dim. wappie (Fif., w.Lth. 1958). Sc. forms and usages:

Sc. form of Eng. wasp.Fif. 1991 John Brewster in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 164:
Dubs glaizie wi nectar,
Pocked in drouned waps.

Sc. usages:

1. As in Eng. Combs. wasp-bike, a wasps' nest (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; ne.Sc., Ags., Per., wm.Sc. 1973). See Byke, n.¹, 1.; also fig.; wasp-bink, id. (Lth., Rxb. 1825 Jam., s.v. Bink). See Bink, n.¹, 6. Ppl.adj. waspit, thin or constricted in the waist, like a wasp.Rnf. 1805 G. MacIndoe Poems 60:
Dream'd o' bum-flees, Bag-pipes, wasp-bikes, and hives o' bees.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 463:
A man is said to look waspit, when he is got small at the wazban o' the breeks.Arg. 1901 N. Munro Doom Castle iii.:
They found themselves in a wasp's byke.Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 31:
A suppose ye ken yt Gallowa's hotchin wi poets; a wasp-bike's naething till't!Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 250:
He pat the rung in the wasp-bike an' reeshl't it.

2. A weapon used by rioters (see quot.).m.Sc. 1820 Edb. Ev. Courant (8 April) 3:
A pike and sham javelin, technically called a wasp.

3. A nickname for Alloa Athletic Football Club, from their yellow and black striped jerseys (m.Sc. 1930; Edb. 1964 J. T. R. Ritchie Singing Street 120).