Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HUMPH, n.2, v.2 Also humf.
I. n. An offensive smell of decaying matter, a stench (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 84; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Mry.1 1925; Cai., Abd., em.Sc., Lnk. 1957); a “high” flavour, putrescent taste (Gregor; Watson). Hence adjs. humphy (Watson, Rxb. 1942 Zai; Per. 1957), humfy-tasted (Mry.1 1925), humpty.Ags. 1820 Montrose Chron. (22 Dec.) 463:
A taste which is so truly corbie, that it cries humph to nothing, however deep the mark of other vermin in the dish.Abd. 1902 E.D.D.:
That's a fine tea, but hasna't a humph o' burnt heather?Fif. 1916 G. Blaik Rustic Rhymes 203:
An' kept the pork among saut brine, That it micht no' gang humphy.Sc. 1924 Scots Mag. (Oct.) 56:
The aits wis fooshtet an' the meal has a nip an' a humf.Edb. 1992:
Pit yer shuin oan-yer feet are humpty.
II. v. 1. intr. To have or acquire a smell or taste of decay (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Abd., Per., m.Lth. 1957). Gen. as ppl.adj. humphed, stinking, putrid (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 278; Sc. 1825 Jam.; Watson; Wettstein; Per., Fif., m.Lth. 1957).Gsw. 1797 J. Strang Gsw. Clubs (1856) 581:
The few public-houses scattered along the roadside were relieved on that memorable day of all their stale beer, sour porter, and humphed ham.Ags. 1820 Montrose Chron. (22 Dec.) 463:
I confess that there is a corrupted taste in mentals as well as materials, which relishes most the food which is humphed.Slk. 1822 Hogg Perils of Man III. 283:
I wish he had fawn aff the tap o' his humphed ill-smelled hides.Slk. 1875 Border Treasury (13 Feb.) 334:
Ye've surely looten the meat humf.Edb. 1882 J. Smith Canty Jock 67:
It never appeared to be fresh, a kind o' “humphed”.
†2. To sniff as if to locate a bad smell (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 84).
[Phs. from the int. humph, as a snort or sniff, to express disgust.]