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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.

YAFF, v., n. Also yauff, yof, and reduplic. forms yaf(f)-yaf(f). Cf. Yowf. [jɑf, jçf]

I. v. 1. To bark, esp. with a high-pitched sound, to yelp (s.Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry Gl.; Bwk., Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 221, yaff out; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Slg., Bwk., Ayr., Rxb. 1974).Rxb. 1805 A. Scott Poems 79:
This said, up came a yaffing cur.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. i.:
Will ye no let me hear what the man wants wi' your yaffing?Rnf. 1827 W. Taylor Poems 49:
We heard colly yof at sic an hour.Slk. 1835 Hogg Tales (1874) 705:
The dog ran yauffin', an whiskin', an huntin', till he set a' the sheep ower the hill.Knr. 1878 J. L. Robertson Poems 82:
His faithfu' collie, dune wi' daffin', Stood heedless o' the toon-tykes' yaffin'.Sc. 1891 R. Ford Thistledown (1895) 46:
Wha is't that brings dogs to the kirk, yaff-yafffin'?Lnk. 1919 G. Rae Clyde and Tweed 95:
The yaffin collie dodges round each heel.

2. To chatter, to prate, talk pertly (s.Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry Gl.; Bwk., Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 221; Rxb. I923 Watson W.-B.; Lnk. 1974). Ppl.adj. yaffin, pert, forward in speech (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein).Lnk. 1838 J. Struthers Poet. Tales 94:
Wha tell ta tale, triumphant yaffin, Through a' ta town.m.Lth. 1857 Misty Morning 271:
I wonder what the yaffin vratch thinks.Lnk. 1863 J. Hamilton Poems 297:
An' rinnin' here and there, an' yaffin', Wi haveral tongue, 'mang lassocks gilpie.

3. To chide, carp, scold, speak sharply and critically (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.).m.Lth. 1885 J. Strathesk More Bits 257:
The auld harridan was a yammerin', yaffin', yelpin', yatterin' yad.Edb. 1916 T. W. Paterson Wyse-Sayin's xxi. 19:
Better hae yer dwallin on a bare, birslet knowe-heid, Than in-ower wi' ony fykie an' yaffin wumman.

II. n. 1. A bark, yelp, of a dog; a sharp barking call, of a bird.Gsw. 1872 J. Young Lochlomond Side 81:
The yaff camsteery o' red or black nosed poodle hairy.Hdg. 1908 J. Lumsden Th' Loudons 45:
A Cockney jake-daw ousted frae its hole, Because its yauff out-Wappin'd Wappin's ain.

2. Prattle, chatter.Lnk. 1868 W. McHutchinson Poems 67:
He learnt a' his yaff aff aul'-farrant grannie.

3. A chatterbox, a pert creature (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., 1942 Zai; Lth., Lnk., s.Sc. 1974); hence with contemptuous force, a puny, peevish, insignificant person (Watson). Cf. Nyaff.Lnk. 1887 A. Wardrop Mid-Cauther Fair 203:
The auld farrant luikin' yauff-o'-imagination that he is!Rxb. 1921 T.S.D.C.:
He's a puir shilpit, peel an eat yaff o' a crater.Peb. 1938 Border Mag. (Oct.) 155:
He wad tell me what he'd dae to the impident yaff.