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.
ENDWAYS, adv. Sc. usages.
1. Forward, straight ahead; “successfully” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; m.Lth.1, Bwk.3 1950). Also found in various n.Eng. dials.Rxb. 1806 J. Hogg Poems 72:
Wark gaes far lighter endways when We joke away or haver.Rxb. 1825 Jam.2:
To get endways with any piece of work, to get pretty well through with it. to succeed in any undertaking.Rxb.4 1950:
Ah never seemed to get endways the day — ah never dae on a Monday.
Hence, by a back-formation, endwye, n., progress, headway (Sh.10, Fif. 1950 (per Fif.16)).Sh. 1898 Shet. News (18 June):
I couldna mak' muckle endwye. Da legs o' me buits wis dat hard.Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ i. x. 15:
Natheless, gudelie crack o' spiritual things stoops no a wee tae spiritual endwye, specialies whaur thae o' seemilar min' an' spreit forgather i' God.
2. In a continuous manner, flow, etc. (Bwk.3 1950).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
He talk't even-endways.
