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.
GUFFAW, n., v. Also guffa(a), ¶goffa. Since mid-19th c. adopted into Eng. For earlier forms, see Gaffaw. [gʌ′fǫ:]
I. n. A loud and coarse or hearty laugh.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxxv.:
That silly fliskmahoy . . . has . . . done naething but laugh and greet, the skirl at the tail o' the guffá, for twa days successfully.Sc. 1821 Blackwood's Mag. (March) 619:
The fidging Prentices, their elbows claw, And speak their triumph in a loud guffāā.Rnf. 1873 D. Gilmour Pen' Folk (1876) 39:
The brother-in-law . . . replied by a loud guffaw.Wgt. 1912 A.O.W.B. Fables frae French 48:
A Cuddy ae day gied a hairty guffa — Weel-pleas't wi' himsel, an' content wi' his lot.Abd. 1916 G. Abel Wylins 41:
I hear the thunner's lood guffa, That gars the rafters dirl.
II. v. To laugh loudly and heartily or coarsely.Sc. 1825 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1863) I. 47:
Glorious guffawing all night, and immeasurable murder all day. Twenty-seven brace of birds, nine hares . . .Sc. 1841 Whistle-Binkie 83:
M'dory guffaw'd like a laughing “hyenar.”Mry. 1852 A. Christie Mountain Strains 72:
The folk, ane an' a', were goffain' an' laughin' In every bit nookie o' a' Peter Fair.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 283:
Thou impeddent latheron . . . what's t'ou guffawin' an' lauchin' at God's word for?
