Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GOVIE, int. Also gov(e)y, goavy. An excl. of surprise, “most commonly used by children” (Lth. 1825 Jam.; Per. 1880 Ib., Cai. 1900 E.D.D.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Abd., Slk. 1955), now more commonly govie-dick (Fif., Lth. 1909 Colville 170; Fif. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 245; n. and em.Sc., Ayr., Gall., Slk. 1955), also -dickson (Fif.¹ c.1930), -dickens (m.Lth.¹ 1955), -ding (Hdg. 1903 J. Lumsden Toorle 45; Fif. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 245; Fif., Slk. 1955), govie coody, and goavins; govitch (ne.Sc. 1888 Sc. N. & Q. (Series 1) II. 91).m.Lth. 1857 Misty Morning 211:
Govie coody! I dinna ken wha it'll be at a', or what they can be daein' here at this time, my man.Sc. 1868 D. M. Ogilvy Willie Wabster 18:
Sirs! Govy Dick! and waes my craws! The goff was weel waird o' the taws.Gall. 1877 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 20:
Goavins! Samuel! what are ye gowlin' aboot?Lnk. 1881 A. Wardrop Poems 18:
Govie-dick, it was an awfu' mistak, ye ken, Robin, but it wis Kirsty's Sunday name that did it.Hdg. 1896 J. Lumsden Battle of Dunbar 24:
Oh, govy! hoo that Tam does roar!Ags. 1925 Forfar Dispatch (24 Dec.) 3:
Govey-ding! there's twal chappin' already.Sc. 1933 W. Muir Mrs Ritchie xxx.:
Govey Dick! To dodge them was as easy as winking.