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.
†GOLLA, GULLA, n. Also gulya, goill-, golja, gul-. [′gʊʎɑ]
1. “A young woman who assists at the christening of a child” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., gulla, 1888 Edm. & Saxby Naturalist 184, gulja, 1908 Jak. (1928), golla, golja); a godmother (Jak.).Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 144:
They [fairies] even required the services of the children of men for fiddlers, howdies, gulyas and nurses.Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 60:
Mi sister, Eppie, . . . wis auchteen whin doo wis born, an' doo's shürely heard dy midder tellin' at shü wis goillya ta dee.
2. A midwife (Sh. 1825 Jam., gulla, 1914 Angus Gl.).
[O.N. kolla, woman (only in combs.); Norw. dial. kolla, id., Sw. dial. kulla, a ewe, an unmarried woman.]
