Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1820-1826
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‡HOWDY-TOWDY, adj., n. Also -dowdy.
I. adj. Tawdry in dress or appearance, dowdy; unkempt, untidy (m.Lth.1 1957).Sc. 1820 Scott Letters (Cent. ed.) VI. 154:
She is a little howdy dowdy ugly thing that can sleep in Anne's room or anywhere.
II. n. An old or informal piece of (head-) dress worn in déshabille, a mob-cap or the like.ne.Sc. 1826 Aberdeen Censor 261:
'Od, she would be mair out o' her element than my wife wi' our lady's satin cap on — or our lady in the midst o' my weans wi' my wife's howdy-towdy on her head.
