Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1876
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WHILLIEGOLEERIE, n. Also whullie-, willi-. A hypocritical sycophant, a flatterer (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.); in quot. appar. as a nonce term of endearment = a pet, a favourite.Sc. 1876 A. B. Grosart Wilson's Poems I. xxxiv.:
But whaur's my willigoleerie? Ay, come in owre, my bonny doo, an' buy a gownpiece.
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"Whilliegoleerie n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 10 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/whilliegoleerie>
