Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ABOOT-GAAIN, ppl.adj. Also aphetic form, boot-gaain. (Sh. and Ork.) [ə′butgɑ:n, -gjɑ:n; ′butgɑ:n, -gjɑ:n] Going about: whirling; veering; wandering.Sh. 1928 Jak., and Sh.⁴ 1931:
Aboot-gaan støri (dust).Sh.⁴ 1931:
Da aboot-gaain wind caused dem ta tak doon da sail and set it fir da idder teck.Sh.⁴ 1931:
He wis jist a(n) aboot-gaain kind o' body.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
A boot-gaain body — i.e. a beggar or pedlar.