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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MAW, n.⁴ m.Sc. form of Eng. ma, a child's word for mother (m.Sc. 1962). [mǫ:]Gsw. 1902 J. J. Bell Wee Macgreegor i.:
Maw, here a sweetie shope.Lth. 1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 187:
He turned to his maw, and says he, “Mither, that's a dug!”w.Sc. 1928 J. Corrie Last Day 7:
“Will I no' can get a big doll because I hae a wee stockin', maw?” repeated Jeannie. Gsw. 1985 Michael Elder Stookie 31:
"Any wood goin', Mister?" ... "What's it for?" he asked.
"My maw," said Stookie. "Need it for a fire." Gsw. 1987 James Kelman Greyhound for Breakfast (1988) 39:
Fisher winked at Mick: 'Dont believe a word of it.'
'It's gen,' said Eddit, 'just the maw and that. Plus I was wanting to see a few of the old faces. A wee while since I've been away, three year.' m.Sc. 1989 James Meek McFarlane Boils the Sea 122:
'You're always bullying your Maw,' she complained, twisting slightly. Gsw. 1990 John and Willy Maley From the Calton to Catalonia 18:
Wid you like me tae talk aboot your maw lik that? m.Sc. 1991 Robert Alan Jamieson A Day at the Office 204:
But all the same, he felt like he should wait before he left and say cheerio to the old guy. For his maw's sake maybe. Gsw. 1999 Jimmy Boyle Hero of the Underworld 97:
Maw eventually got the house changed to her name to prevent the police kicking the door down. Sc. 2000 Herald 24 Oct 19:
Two wee girls play with a doll in the gutter. Someone calls cheerfully down to them from a window. In another minute, you feel, you will collide with Maw Broon; ...

Phr. yer maw!, Exclamation of disbelief.m.Sc. 1997 Tom Watson Dark Whistle 51:
Thir's auld yins gaun aboot
That's jist the same. - A'
Mid-week the caird's no merked
But perfect sixes aye drawn oot
Oan Sundays. Aye, yer maw!Edb. 1997:
They say he's gonnae get a place on the new rugby team....Yer ma!