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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SAW, n.1 Also sa(a), sau. Gen.Sc. forms of Eng. salve, unguent, ointment (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1942 Zai). See P.L.D. §§ 70. 3., 78. 1. Freq. in proverbial phrs. as in quots. below. [sɑ:, sǫ:]Sc. 1745 R. Chambers Hist. Rebellion (1869) 137:
A quantity of chocolate, found in General Cope's carriage, was afterwards sold publicly in the streets of Perth, under the denomination of Johnnie Cope's Saw — that is, salve.
Bnff. c.1810 W. Cramond Old Cullen (1882) 38:
“Cerat'sa'” to heal wounds was supplied in a mussel shell.
Sc. 1823 Scots Mag. (May) 588:
I'll anoint every bruise wi' Marion's bourtree sa'.
Sc. 1832 A. Henderson Proverbs 89:
Seek your sa' whare you got your sair.
Ags. 1853 W. Blair Aberbrothock 70:
She had a rinnin' in her head, an' wanted a twa three bawbees to get saw.
Ayr. 1876 J. Ramsay Gleanings 18:
Come, a wee drap mair, And let the saw just seek the sair.
Wgt. 1877 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 30:
“O! Salve — saw”, says the Doctor. “You know what saw is”.
Fif. 1912 D. Rorie Mining Folk 407, 413:
“Let the sau sink to the sair”, was said jestingly as a reason for drinking whisky instead of rubbing it in as an outward application. . . . Dinna hae the sau waitin' on the sair (i.e. do not anticipate trouble).
Rnf. 1920 J. Donald Greenock Charact. 76:
Go you to Figgins in Greenock and you'll get a “sa-a” for to cure that.
Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 93:
A peerie box o' growin saa.
Mry. 1956 Northern Scot (7 April):
See! here's a clean clootie, Ah've spread it wi' saw, Tae haud it fae bailin' an' keep dirt awa.

[O.Sc. saw, salve, 1490.]

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"Saw n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/saw_n1>

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