Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GAUDY, adj. Also †gaudie, †gad(d)ie. Obs. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. gaudy.
†1. Fig. of words: flowery, highly ornate; or phs. rather = tricky, cf. Gaud, n.1Rnf. 1790 A. Wilson Poems (1876) 105:
Tho' her phraizing (far owre gaudie), Gars me cock my tap fu' skeigh.Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 276:
Ye'll call your daughter to the door, And ye will speak wi' words fu' gadie; And see if she is willing to wed, Wi' me, that's a brisk young Highland laddie.
†2. Gay, dashing.Rnf. 1807 R. Tannahill Poems 21:
But ah! waes me! wi their sodg'rin sae gaudy, O, The Laird's wys'd awa my braw Highland laddie, O.Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads II. 155:
A bonny laddie brisk and gay, A handsome youth sae brisk and gaddie; And he is on to Glasgow town, To steal awa' his bonny Peggy.Slk. a.1835 Hogg Tales (1837) II. 287:
Wha gae to me a pledge o' love, That gars me look sae gaudy.
