Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
Quotation dates: 1728-1779, 1832, 1891-1993
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MAUMIE, adj., v. Also malmie, malmy; mawmie (Abd. 1927 E. S. Rae Hansel 14), -y; maamie, -y; mamie. [′mɑ:me]
I. adj. 1. Of an orig. solid substance: ground into powder, crushed to a soft or fine consistency (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., maamie, Sh. 1962).
2. Of fruit or vegetables: ripe, mellow, mature (Bnff. 1962). Hence maumieness, mellowness (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 227).Abd. 1891 Bon-Accord (7 Feb.) 9:
I'm sure ye'll ca' them [peas] extra sweet, For they are fine an' mawmy.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 108:
The fruit o't was maumier to the mooth than ony peach or grape.
3. Of a liquid: thick and smooth, palatable, well matured, full-bodied (ne.Sc. 1962).Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 14:
A pint o' trykle to mak it thicker an' sweeter an maumier for the mouth.Sc. 1832 Tait's Mag. (Dec.) 374:
The liquor, though new to me, is malmy.Abd. 1922 G. P. Dunbar Whiff o' Doric 14:
The swuppert baad that mony a morn Had laucht the racin' win' tae scorn, In maamy bree noo did adorn Ilk platter, thick as stoorum.Bnff. 1955 Banffshire Jnl. (19 July):
I likewise mind o' the fine maamy sowens she made.Abd. 1993:
A pickie fine maamie broth made o a dwinin hennie.
4. Of weather: soft, calm, mild and damp (ne.Sc. 1962).Bch. 1930:
It's a maumie kin' o' nicht.Bnff. 1956 Banffshire Jnl. (6 June) 4:
Aul' Rob as we'll ca' him, wis feelin' a gey bittie stronger ae day — futher it wis the maamy spring days or no we canna say.
5. In various fig. extensions of meaning: mellow, sweet, pleasant, agreeable. Hence maumieness, sweetness.Sc. 1728 R. Wodrow Corresp. (1843) III. 403:
You'll probably think I am too soft and malmy now, and it may be so.Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ i. xviii. 26:
Throwe the grit mauminess o' thocht, e'en a bit chack was negleckit.Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ i. xx. 31:
Yer chaumer, an ye bide tharin, growes maumie, bot gin ye divna bide in't, it staws.Bch. 1929 J. Milne Dreams o Buchan 43:
Noo malmy smells cam' driftin' doon, The wife wis busy mealin' The hotterin' porritch in the pot.Abd. 1955 Abd. Press & Jnl. (24 Jan.):
The pawky Provost says we miss The maumie magic o' a kiss.
II. v. To break up the earth by delving or ploughing, to pulverise (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).
[Eng. dial. malm, adj., mellow, n., soft rock, light soil ( < O.E. mealm, soft stone, chalky earth), orig. cogn. with meal, < *mel-, to grind, + -ie, adj. suff. Cf. Ger. zermalmen, to crush to powder. The v. is from the adj.]
