Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1812-1871, 1989-1995
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EH, int. In Sc. combs., usually employed to indicate affirmation, surprise, or dismay, e.g. eh aye (Bnff., Abd., Ags., m.Lth., Bwk., Kcb. 1945); eh-la (cf. Lan. dial. e-law); eh man (Abd., Fif., m.Lth., wm.Sc. 1945); eh sirs (Bnff., Abd., Fif., Knr., Slg., wm.Sc. 1945); see also Sirs; eh whow.Fif. 1812 W. Tennant Anster Fair I. xxi.:
Eh-la! what sight is this? — what ails my mustard-pot?Sc. 1814 Scott Waverley (1817) xv.:
As nothing was to be got from this distracted chorus, excepting "Lord guide us!" and "Eh sirs!"Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. xlv.:
"Eh whow! Eh whow!" ejaculated the honest farmer, as he looked round upon his friend's miserable apartment.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb viii.:
Is there mair o' 't? Eh aye — here's twa korters!
Hence used as intr. v., to say eh!Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet vn.:
The Justice looked to the Clerk — the Clerk to the Justice; the former ha'd, eh'd, without bringing forth an articulate syllable.
Phr. eh no?, tag question inviting confirmation (Ags., Edb. 2000s).Edb. 1989:
Eh no I'm a good boy mummy?m.Sc. 1989 James Meek McFarlane Boils the Sea 60:
'...But these straps are cutting into you a bit, eh no?'Edb. 1995 Irvine Welsh Marabou Stork Nightmares (1996) 138:
You dinnae mind ay me, eh no? I smiled.
