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.
Ȝa(l)d, Yade, n. Also: ȝawd, yawde, ȝaid. [North. ME and e.m.E. ȝald (a1400), yawd (c1560), ON jalda. Also in the later dial.]
1. Used pejoratively of an old horse or mare in poor condition: A nag. = Jad n. 1. Also proverb., attrib. and comb. b. Ane Ȝowlis ȝald, a nag neglected during the yuletide festivities. Cf. Yule's yaud in the later dial. (SND, s.v. Yule n. 3 (48)).a1570-86 Maitl. F. 439/75.
Men … thinkis it war ane fulishe act On rydin hors to spend thair pact Haifand ane ȝaid at thair commandproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 978.
I wad your wald were a yade, and your neiss ye wat quha had fast hadattrib. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 126/3 (see b below). c1530-40 Stewart in Bann. MS 140b/23.
Sowttaris … Thair teith so bawchs and bluntis For cumring off cow cuntis And freting of ȝawd fruntiscomb. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 246.
Muttoun dryver, girnall ryver, ȝadswyvar, fowll fell théb. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 126/2.
Schir, lat it never in toune be tald That I suld be ane Ȝowllis ȝald. Suppois I war ane ald ȝaid [M. ȝald] aver Schott furth … to squische the clever … I wald at Ȝoull be housit and stald
2. Used pejoratively of a woman: A slut, whore.1545 Stirling B. Rec. I 41.
You leid that said Annapill Graheme wes ane freris get and freris yawde
