Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1838-1923
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CAMPY, CAMPIE, adj. and n. Cf. Kempy. [′kɑmpi]
1. adj.
(1) Of persons: “bold, brave, heroical” (w.Rxb. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry, Gloss.; 1923 Watson W.-B.).wm.Sc. 1882 Anon. Songs and Ballads of Cld. 63:
There's a lad in Dunsyre, fu' campie and crouse, That fain wad hae Nelly to keep his bit house.
(2) Of horses: “mettlesome, brisk” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
†(3) “Elated by a flow of high spirits” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2). Hence campiness, elation, self-confidence, bumptiousness. Marked obs. by Watson. Sc. 1838 Chambers's Jnl. (3 Feb.) 16:
There is a boastfulness, or, as a Scotchman would call it, campiness, characteristic of a people generally prosperous.
‡(4) Quick- or ill-tempered (Sc. 1808 Jam.).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
She's a campy limmer.
2. n. “One who strives, contends, or works vigorously” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., campie).
[See Camp, n.1, v., adj.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Campy adj., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/campy>
