Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
LEAVE-O, n. Also -oi, leavie-o (Abd. 1925), levo (Cai. 1970s). A children's game in which one player or side hunts out and captures those of the other and places them in a den from which they have to be released by the opposing side (Ork., ne.Sc., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1960). See also Relieve. Comb. leavo-morris, id., a call in the game when the side to be captured rush off challenging pursuit (Ork. 1930).Ayr. 1951 Stat. Acc.3 282:
Under the influence of the cinema traditional games like “Leave-o”, “Hunch-cuddy-hunch”, “Kick the Can” are gradually disappearing.Abd. 1958 Abd. Press & Jnl. (22 Sept.):
Leave-oh, otherwise known as Release, was a kind of catch-as-catch-can.
