Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Wow, interj. Also: vou. [Also in the later dial. SND Wow, Vow interj. Cf. Gaelic bhòbh.] An exclamation expressing astonishment, fear, admiration, etc. Also proverb.(a) a1500 Peblis to Play 74.
Ane winklot fell and hir taill vp ‘Wow,’ quod Malkin, ‘hyd ȝow' 1513 Doug. vi Prol. 19.
‘Out on thir wandrand speritis, wow!’ thou cryis 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 248.
Wow, wow, braid benedicitie, Quhat sicht is ȝone, schiris, that I see 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 269.
Na, now he cumis evin for to sla me; For Godis saik, schiris, now keip him fre me … Wow, mak me rowme and lat me gae 1603 Philotus 288.
[An old man] Ay rumisching with rift and rair … Now, wow gif that be sweit 1638 J. Row Red-Shankes Serm. 3.
What trou ye she [sc. the Kirk of Scotland] is flichtered with, but with a silken threed … and wow but we have taken great delight to be bound ?1665 M. Bruce Six Dreadful Alarms 21.
Wow, sirs, but that is a long march-dyke(b) 1549 Compl. 41/6.
The marynalis began to heis vp the sail, cryand heisau, heisau. vorsa, vorsa. vou, vou 16.. Row Cupp of Bon-Accord 1b.
Vouproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 1488.
Wow [1641 Well] good mother doghter a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 1513.
Wow dey, minnie wold mird