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: 1871, 1936
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HOWFFIN, Howfin, n. Also houfin; hoffin (Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 38) and curtailed form howff (Abd. 1957). A clumsy, awkward, shy and rather stupid person (Abd. 1825 Jam., howfin, Abd.6 1913, Kcd. 1957). [′hʌufɪn]Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xix.:
And not less was Dawvid incensed at that "fair-tongue't howffin, Hairry Muggart."Abd. 1936 D. Bruce Cried on Sunday 14:
Ye're better wintin' thon scuddy, howfin Hairry Wobster.
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"Howffin n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/howffin>
