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.
AIBERDEEN-AWA, ABERDEEN-AWA, -AWAY, phr. used as adj. or n. [′ebər′din ə′wɑ: n.Sc.; ə′we: Lth. + ɑ:; ə′wǫ; em.Sc.(a), wm.Sc.]
1. As adj. Of or pertaining to Aberdeen (and its neighbourhood).Sc. 1814 Scott Waverley xxix.:
“Ye're a Highlandman by your tongue?” “Na; I am but just Aberdeen-a-way.”Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch (1839) xx.:
'Od he was a mettle bodie of a creature — far north, Aberdeen-awa like, and looking at two sides of a half-penny.
2. As n. Aberdeen; neighbourhood of Aberdeen; the Aberdeen dialect.Sc. 1887 R. L. Stevenson Underwoods, Note:
Burns's Ayrshire, and Dr MacDonald's Aberdeen-awa', and Scott's brave, metropolitan utterance will be all equally the ghosts of speech.Abd.(D) 1920 C. Murray Country Places 29:
I'll no compleen Tho' a' my life I lie my leen In Aiberdeen awa'.Ayr. 1822 Galt Entail (1850) lxxxvi.:
When he alighted from the Edinburgh coach at the canny twa and twae toun of Aberdeen awa, he had some doubt if the inhabitants spoke any Christian language.
