A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Lukkie, Lucky, -ie, a. and n. Also: lukie, loukie, (locky). [e.m.E. lukky (1502), luckie, -y, f. Luk n.: (cf. MDu. geluckich).]
1. As a term of compliment or endearment to a person: Attended by good fortune, ‘blessed’, ‘good’.Cf. also 6.1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 62.
‘Quha gaif thé leif to cum fra hame?’ ‘Ȝe gaif me leif, fair lucky dame’ Ib. 71, 84. 1540 Id. Sat. 2428 (Ch.).
(Diligence:) Cum over and I sall schaw thé to his grace. (John:) Gods bennesone licht on that luckie face
b. Luckie daid (= Dade n.1), an affectionate or intimate term for ‘grandfather, grandad’.Common in the later dial. as lucky-ded(d)y, -daddie, -dad.1610 Edinb. Test. XLVI. 175 b.
Particullaris of the siluir wark that I gif for ane taikin to my oy … for luckie daidis gift
2. Of persons: Enjoying good luck, fortunate, apt to prosper.1600-1610 Melvill 278.
He wes never lukkie nor honest to God nor man 1612 Crim. Trials III. 218.
Hob Scott … callit Hob the Loukie [pr. Lonkie] a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 742.
He was never a lukkie knype, that had his mother at the yet Ib. Nos. 823, 1490.
3. a. Of an outcome, also of anything made or undertaken by a person: That turns out well or as one hoped, successful.1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 69.
The lichtis … wer as upon the lukie ending of the thing that ȝe luikit for … put out a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1641) No. 543.
If ever ye make a luckie pudding I shall eat the prick
b. Of success: Resulting from, or accompanied by, good luck; fortunate.1596 Dalr. I. 347/3.
The duchtie deides, sa lukie succes, appeiris rathir to proceid of sum diuine grace … than to be done throuch ony strenth of body
4. Of a stated amount: Full, ample, ‘good’ in measure.1634 (1649) Sel. Biog. I. 384.
God … plucked them from their deceiving hopes, before they got half a bellyful, yea, or a lucky mouthful of the world
5. Of persons and things: Tending to bring about good fortune, well-omened.Freq. in the litotes, (to be) nocht lukie, to be of ill omen, to be a witch.1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 3.
Marioun Blair … trowit Kaithrein Makteir wes nocht lukie becaus hir mother … was ane notit witch Ib. 9.
Scho gaif hir the stain again saying scho trowit nather scho [nor the] stain wes luckie 1634 Sharpe Witchcraft 109.
Let hir allane, she is called not luckie 1661 Elgin Rec. II. 296.
He was not luckie 1685 Sinclair Satan's Invisible World 214.
I will not speak of … our meeting with a lucky or unlucky foot, when we are going about important business
6. As noun, as a familiar term for an elderly woman. b. Prefixed to a surname.Cf. 1 a. Common in this use in later dial.1629 Lowther's Jrnl. 43.
Locky, an old woman a 1700 in Law's Memor. (1818) 228 n.
My Lady Stairs is dead and almost rotten; Be glad and joyful at this luckie's deathb. 1697 Stirling B. Rec. II. 341.
To a man and a horse for taking luckie Rugh out of the toun on a slade
