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.
Quotation dates: 1721, 1804-1862
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†GAFFAW, n., v. Also gaffa(a), gafaw. Earlier forms of Guffaw, q.v.
I. n. A loud laugh (Dwn. 1931 in North. Whig (27 Nov.), gafaw), a gale of laughter.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 157:
Syne circling wheels the flattering Gaffaw, As well they may, he gars their Beards wag a'.Sc. 1808 Jam. s.v. gaulf:
They gat up wi' a gaffaw, They all laughed loud.Peb. 1817 R. Brown Lintoun Green v. xxi.:
Bean, wi' her scout-mouth, gi'es gaffaws.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 22:
He nicker't sic a lang gaffaw.Lnk. 1853 W. Watson Poems 51:
What games do ye practise to pass your meal hours, An' bear aff the palm wi' a hearty gaffa?
II. v. To laugh heartily or boisterously.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 211:
To bend wi' ye and spend wi' ye An Evening, and gaffaw.Mry. 1804 R. Couper Poems I. 74:
What's a yon loud gaffawing din.Edb. 1818 Scots Mag. (Aug.) 155:
Muckle din an' loud gilraivitch was amang them, gaffawan an' lauchan.Ayr. 1822 Galt Provost xxxviii.:
Some of the ne'er-do-weel young clerks of the town were seen gaffawing and haverelling with Jeanie.Dmf. 1836 J. Mayne Siller Gun 81:
Behold the concourse, here and there, Gaffawing till their sides are sair!
Hence 1. gaffawer, n., one who laughs loudly (Bnff.2 1927); 2. gaffawingly, adv., in a manner causing hearty laughter.1. Sc. 1841 Whistle-Binkie 25:
When e'en bit a younker, he'd cowr in a bunker Wi' 's beuk, daft gaffawers to mixna amang.Rnf. 1862 A. McGilvray Poems 26:
The simple turning of a straw, Would make them both gaffaers, Like fools this day.2. Sc. 1822 Blackwood's Mag. XII. 789:
Sydney Smith has turned the laugh against the Bishop most triumphantly and gaffawingly.
