Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TORY, n., adj. Sc. usages:
I. n. A term of disparagement or disapprobation, often jocular, applied specif. to a child, = Eng. rascal. Common in Ir. dial. from which it was prob. borrowed. Also attrib.s.Ayr. 1825 Jam.:
A term expressive of the greatest indignation or contempt; often applied to a child; as, “Ye vile little tory.” It is used especially in the higher parts of Kyle.Dmf. c.1902 A.E.M. Lilts frae the Border 19:
Eh Jamie, ye wee Tory loon.
¶II. adj. Appar. = non-committal, indeterminate, humming and hawing, as a supposed characteristic of a Conservative.Fif. c.1900 Readings and Dialogues 39:
Patie was rale tory owre't, an' asked if I cud leave it for a day so as he cud mak' a thorough examination.
You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Tory n., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 22 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/tory>