Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CULYIE, CULZIE, CULLIE, Cully, Cullye, Coolye, Kujli, Kilie, Køl(l)i, Kjöllie, Cweelie, v. and n. [′kylji Lth. (E.E.P. V.); ′kulji, ′k(j)øli Sh.; ′k(w)ili Mry.]
1. v.
(1) To fondle, cherish (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), køl(l)i; Mry.1 1925, cullie), to make up (to), make much of. Often used with aboot in Sh.Sh.(D) 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 34:
Maikie cam close up till her, an' cüllied aboot her.Sh. 1897 Shet. News (2 Oct.):
Doo'll hae ta kjöllie aboot Sibbie, an' doo'll mebbe get her ta geng i' da lempit ebb.Ork.(D) 1880 Dennison Sketch Bk. 142:
I hae no' time tae cullye grief.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 3:
That in his cave the lee day lang, Sat culyieing thee beside the shore.Peb. 1805 J. Nicol Poems I. 94:
Gude sooth! gin ance ye're culliet there, To manlie sense An' dignitie, for ever mair, Quite a pretence!
(2) To coax, to appease (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., kujli), to wheedle, entice; vbl.n. culyiean, “the act of flattering; the act of wheedling” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 34).Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 273:
O'er narrow counting Culzies no Kindness.Cai. 1911 John o' Groat Jnl. (14 July):
“He wid coolye 'e egg frae a craw,” the crow being considered a difficult bird to trick in any way.Hdg. 1902 J. Lumsden Toorle, etc. 270:
Mistress Creashem culyied ye aff hame Afore the bile got back intil yer wame!Lnk. c.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 142:
I true that culli'd him hither ay the mair.
Phrs.: (1) to cweelie aff, kilie —, to wheedle out of (Mry.1 1925); (2) to cully in with one, “to attempt to gain one's affection by wheedling; to curry favour” (Sc. 1883 Cassell's Encycl. Dict.).
†2. n.
(1) “Flattery, wheedling” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 34, culyie).
(2) “A flatterer” (Ib.).
[O.Sc. has culze, cuilze, cuillie, to caress, fondle, from 1438; to cherish, to treat kindly, from 1513; to receive or entertain kindly, from 1568; to acquire or maintain by friendliness, 1641 (D.O.S.T.). The form suggests a connection with Fr. cueillir, to gather, cf. accueillir, to welcome.]
