Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BROOI, Brui, n. [′brui]
1. “The master of the house” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., brooi).
2. “A term of familiarity and equivalent to ‘brother'” (Ib.; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); “only preserved in certain phrases: (a) as a tabu-name, used by fishermen at sea; (b) in jocular address to a person: ‘bridder brui!'” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Cf. broo, brother, Yks. and Lan. (E.D.D.).
3. (1) Gnome, bugbear.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Had dy tongue, boy! b[rui] will come, b[rui] will tak' dee.
(2) “A name for the devil” (Ib.).
