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.
Quotation dates: 1857-1933
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GOVIE, int. Also gov(e)y, goavy. An excl. of surprise, “most commonly used by children” (Lth. 1825 Jam.; Per. 1880 Ib., Cai. 1900 E.D.D.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Abd., Slk. 1955), now more commonly govie-dick (Fif., Lth. 1909 Colville 170; Fif. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 245; n. and em.Sc., Ayr., Gall., Slk. 1955), also -dickson (Fif.1 c.1930), -dickens (m.Lth.1 1955), -ding (Hdg. 1903 J. Lumsden Toorle 45; Fif. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 245; Fif., Slk. 1955), govie coody, and goavins; govitch (ne.Sc. 1888 Sc. N. & Q. (Series 1) II. 91).m.Lth. 1857 Misty Morning 211:
Govie coody! I dinna ken wha it'll be at a', or what they can be daein' here at this time, my man.Sc. 1868 D. M. Ogilvy Willie Wabster 18:
Sirs! Govy Dick! and waes my craws! The goff was weel waird o' the taws.Gall. 1877 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 20:
Goavins! Samuel! what are ye gowlin' aboot?Lnk. 1881 A. Wardrop Poems 18:
Govie-dick, it was an awfu' mistak, ye ken, Robin, but it wis Kirsty's Sunday name that did it.Hdg. 1896 J. Lumsden Battle of Dunbar 24:
Oh, govy! hoo that Tam does roar!Ags. 1925 Forfar Dispatch (24 Dec.) 3:
Govey-ding! there's twal chappin' already.Sc. 1933 W. Muir Mrs Ritchie xxx.:
Govey Dick! To dodge them was as easy as winking.
