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, 1793-1809
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†GOSS, n. A crony, friend; “a silly, but good natured man” (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Æneis, God's goss s.v. goddis apis; Sc.(E) 1868 D. M. Ogilvy Willie Wabster 19). Also dim. gossie, -y.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 13:
Then farewell Maggy douce and fell, . . . Let a' thy Gossies yelp and yell.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 189:
Flang in his Fiddle o'er the Yet . . . Soon as he wan within the Closs, He dously drew in Mair Gear frae ilka gentle Goss Than bought a new ane.Peb. 1793 R. Brown Carlop Green (1817) 132:
A' gossie-fain, cadgy, and canty, Ither tae meet and hear.Abd. 1809 J. Skinner Amusements 100:
But, may be, gin I live as lang, As nae to fear the chirmin chang Of Gosses grave, that think me wrang.
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"Goss n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/goss>
