Show Search Results Show Browse

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

WILLIE-WAUGHT, n.comb. Also -waucht (e.Lth. 1908 J. Lumsden Th' Loudons 201; willy-waught, -wacht; wullie-waught (e.Lth. 1892 J. Lumsden Sheep-Head 290), -waucht; wully waught, -waucht, waly-waucht (Lnk. 1885 J. Hamilton Poems 74). A copious draught, hearty swig, usu. of ale or other liquor. Also fig. [′wɪlewǫxt]Sc. 1826 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 99:
That was a wully waught! I haena left a dribble in the jug.
Edb. 1846 W. Tennant Muckomachy 13:
O' strong ale good Ilk took a michty willy-wacht.
Sc. 1883 Stevenson Letters to Baxter (1956) 117:
Drank wullywauchts like Samson.
e.Lth. 1908 J. Lumsden Th' Loudons 84:
I'll do't For naething and a wullie-waucht o' yours!
Sc. 1938 Border Mag. (May) 78:
The misty hills, the abbeys auld, The willy waught o' frien's.

[From a wrong division of the words in Burns's Auld Lang Syne, “We'll tak a right guid willie waught, For auld lang syne,” due partly to the rhythm of the present tune and poss. partly by association of willie with Wallie, adj. See guidwillie, s.v. Guidwill, and Waucht, n.]

Willie-waught n. comb.

You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.

"Willie-waught n. comb.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 26 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/williewaught>

29548

snd

Hide Advanced Search

Browse SND:

    Loading...

Share: