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.
Quotation dates: 1786-1817, 1896-1934
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BEHIN, BEHINT, Behunt, Behine, prep. and adv. Behind. May be used for Ahin, in all cases except perhaps Ahin, 3. The quots. illustrate the different forms. [bɪ′hɪn(t), -′hɪ̢n(t) Sc., -′hʌn(t) Arg., -′həin Uls.]Sc. 1896 A. Cheviot Proverbs 232:
Leave welcome aye behint you.Arg. (Southend) 1932 (per Arg.1):
I tried tae hide behunt a big boady in the sate afront o' me.Ayr. 1786 Burns To his Auld Mare vii.:
An' ran them till they a' did wauble, Far, far behin'.Uls. 1910 C. C. Russell People and Language of Uls. 26:
The Ulsterman will . . . either cut off the "d" or replace it by a "t." Thus the word "behind" may either be called "behine" or "behint."
Phr. behind backs, (1) in the rear of anything, not so far forward; (2) clandestinely, not openly.(1) Slk. c.1817 Hogg Works (1865) 338:
Tibby was sitting behind backs enjoying the meal.(2) Slg.3 1934:
You must not do anything behind backs.
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"Behin prep., adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 4 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/behin>
