Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GASH, adj.1 Ashen, of pale or ghastly appearance, grim, dismal. Now only liter. Also adv.Edb. a.1774 R. Fergusson Poems (1925) 86:
The day looks gash, toot aff your horn, Nor care yae strae about the morn.Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxv.:
Nay, never look gash or grim at me, man — if ye're angry, ye ken how to turn the buckle o' your belt behind you.Ayr. 1826 Galt Last of the Lairds iii.:
“Plunkcorkie,” said he, “I'm thinking Auldbiggings is looking unco gash.” “Gash!” quo Plunkcorkie, “nae wonder, he's been dead this half hour.”Sc. 1830 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 347:
“But what's the matter wi' Mr North? Saw ye ever the cretur lookin sae gash? I wish he mayna be in a fit o' apoplexy”. . . . “His countenance is, indeed, ominously sable.”Arg. 1914 N. Munro New Road xx.:
You're looking gash! A body would think to look at you the North was up.Abd. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 66:
“Foo leuk ye sae gash?” “Weel, Aw am some squeemish.”m.Sc. 1934 J. Buchan Free Fishers x.:
He had gotten a clour on the heid, and lookit a wee thing gash.Dmf. 1938 Chambers's Jnl. (Nov.) 840:
Whaur the rocks toss high to the gurly sky Ower an auld too'er gash an' grey.em.Sc. 1999 James Robertson The Day O Judgement 9:
Syne will each stoundit sairie sowel
Tae its ain gash corp mak mane an say:
"Hech me! Whit for hae ye revived
Tae bring on baith o us sic wae? .. "
