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.
′AFF-′LOOF, -LUIF, -LEEF, AFF LOOF, adv., adv. phr., adj. (See also Off-Luif.) [For pronunc. of -loof, etc., see Loof.] Meanings almost the same as those of affhand, St.Eng. offhand.
1. adv. Without delay, at once; extempore, on the spur of the moment; by heart. Gen.Sc.Sc. 1728 A. Ramsay Poems II. 30:
How snackly cou'd he gi'e a Fool Reproof, E'en wi' a canty Tale he'd tell aff loof?Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St Patrick I. v. 76:
Sae I was ca'd into the praesence, and sent awa aff loof tae speer ye out.Ags.(D) 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 15:
I'll juist gie you the thick o' the story clean aff luif.Lnk. 1902 A. Wardrop R. Tamson's Hamely Sk. 93:
She has the eichth chapter o' the Romans . . . completely aff luiff.Lnk. 1922 T. S. Cairncross Scot at Hame 53:
I canna' tell aff-loof what's gane wrang wi' folk ava.Ayr. 1786 Burns Sec. Ep. to J. Lapraik vii.:
But I shall scribble down some blether Just clean aff-loof.Slk. a.1835 J. Hogg Tales, etc. (1837) I. 131:
We maunna haud just wi saying, gie us this, and gie us that, and than, because we dinna just get it aff loof, drap the plea an' despair.Uls.2 1929:
Aff-leef, off-hand.
2. adj. Unpremeditated; careless, free and easy.Kcb. 1897 T. Murray Poems 130–131:
And aye I liked your aff-loof blether And heartie laugh.
