Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
LORDLY, adj. Sc. usage: lavish, extravagant, sumptuous, open-handed (n.Sc. 1961). Commonly in deriv. lord(l)i(e)f(o)u, id. (ne.Sc. 1961).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 81:
He wiz gey lordlifou at the first wee's bawbees.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xli.:
Though he ken little aboot menners, fowk wud need to min' 't 's upfeshin wasna vera lordliefu'.Abd. 1909 J. Tennant Jeannie Jaffray ix.:
Jeannie cultivated the dog's acquaintance by a share of her supper. “The limmer! she deserves to want. Gin't had been paid for, she'd ha'e been less lordifu' wi' the tyke.”Bch. 1929 J. M. Chessar W.-L.:
Dinna be sae lordlifu wi' the ream or there'll be nane tae mak butter.
