Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1880-1929
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GULLY, adj., n.2 Also gullie, -o(w), gul; gillie, -y, -o(o), -ow; gulbow (Ork. 1825 Jam.) is a misprint. [′gʌli, ′gɪli, -o (fem.)]
I. adj. Good, pleasant, agreeable, gen. used of persons (Ork. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 XV. 96, gully).Ork. 1911 Old-Lore Misc. IV. iv. 186:
An' he was as gully a body as could live; an' at da Straits he was a' da boys' freen.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
A gully ting o' a bairn.Ork. 1929 Marw. s.v. berry:
He had left her husband fishing on a rock called “Tangie”; then, continuing, he said: “Tangie's a gully berry; hid'll hurt naething”; i.e. Tangie is a safe place.
II. n. A familiar term of address among friends of both sexes (Ork. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 XV. 96, gul, 1911 Old-Lore Misc. IV. ii. 68, gully, -oo, 1929 Marw., gullie, -o(w), gill-, Ork.5 1955, gulloo).Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 132:
Bit are th'u hurt thee, Paety, gilly?Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Whare thoo gaan the day, gillie?
