Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1724-1727, 1790, 1861, 1923-1930
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DADDY, Daidie, Dady, n. Sc. usages and forms of colloq. Eng. daddy. [′dɑdi, ′dedi]
1. As in Eng.Sc. 1724–27 Ramsay T. T. Misc. (1733) 92:
O'er benty hill with him I'll run, And leave my lawland kin and dady.Ayr. 1790 A. Tait Poems 123:
The prettiest ladies E'er stood at Ayr cross, Both them and their dadies To her are but dross.
2. Sc. usages in phr. and combs.: (1) Daddy Cloots, the devil; (2) daddy-lochraig, see Dirdy-lochrag; (3) to be a' their (eer) daddies, daidies, (a) to excel, to be the smartest or foremost (Bwk.2 1948; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., — daidies); known to Bnff.2 ( — daddies), Kcb.10 1939; (b) to be "more than you bargained for; as much as you can manage" (Ib.).(1) Rnf. 1861 J. Barr Poems 200:
Schules may gang to Daddy Cloots.(3) (a) Lth.1 1930:
Heard, e.g. at football matches, when former players were discussed: "Ay, Jock — was a' their daddies at dribblin'." Also of singers, etc. Also heard in Fife.wm.Sc. 1928 J. Corrie Last Day 60:
"I ken what I'm talkin' aboot," he told the mother on the quiet, "and your Jamie's gaun tae be a' their daddies." The mother was proud.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
That callant's a' eer daidies for impetence.
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"Daddy n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/daddy>
