Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1824-1871, 1932
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ATEN, Ate'n, pa.p. A Sc. form of eaten. [etn, ɛtn]Abd.(D) 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxi.:
Half ate'n wi' the mochs.
Phrase: aten out o' ply (used of an animal that will not fatten, however well fed). (See Ply.)Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 22:
Aten out o' Ply. — Some animals are said to be aten out o' ply when they are extremely lean in flesh, although they have been taking a great deal of food.Kcb.1 1932:
Aten (pron. etten) oot o' ply. A person here [Bridge of Urr] who breeds pigs . . . assures me that this is the ordinary expression used all over the district to describe a beast that won't fatten, no matter how much it may be stuffed with food. She had heard it used jocularly of persons.w.Dmf.6 1932:
Quite a common expression.
