Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†GAADY, n. A bead, orig. a Paternoster bead. Skeat has suggested that the proverb below may have reference to the fairy-tale of the good girl from whose mouth fell pearls and diamonds when speaking. Cf. Gawd.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 203:
It sets you well to Slaver, you let such Gaadys fall. Ironically signifying that what he is saying, or doing, is too assuming for him.
