Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1814, 1890
[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]
MADGE, n.
1. A pet-name for Marjorie, used contemptuously to refer to a silly woman (Lnk. 1825 Jam., Lnk. 1962).Sc. 1814 C. I. Johnstone Saxon & Gael. III. ix.:
That glaikit madge Leddy Sibby's aff to the half-merk wi' the Count.
2. A name given to a single bright star seen near the moon. See quot.Bnff. c.1890 Gregor MSS.:
It is a general belief that when a large star is seen near the moon, stormy weather is not far off. At Macduff such a star goes by the name of Madge and the saying is: "Madge is ower near the meen."
