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.
MEGSTIE, int. Also megsty, megisty (Per., Fif., Lth. 1915–26 Wilson); mextie, -y; mixtie (Ags. 1907; Fif.14 1945); michsty; meggins(tie), merginstie (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); maiginty, -ties (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 111). Also ¶derivs. mextyfou, -fu. An exclamation of surprise, distress or disapproval. Usu. in phr. megstie me! Gen.(exc. I.)Sc.Ayr. 1822 Galt Sir A. Wylie ciii.:
Eh! megsty, maister! I thought ye were soun' sleeping.Edb. 1844 J. Ballantine Miller ii., xii.:
Mextyfou me, Denhaugh, are ye here. . . . Mextyfu me, Jock! is this you?Lnk. 1881 A. Wardrop J. Mathison's Courtship 15:
But, megsty me, what an alteration — the wa's are a' white-washed.Bnff. 1895 N. Roy Horseman's Word x.:
Megsty me, sic a braw horseman!Bwk. 1912 J. Burleigh Ednam 133:
The goodwife draws breath by uttering the one word “Megstie”.s.Sc. 1945 L. Derwent Tammy Troot 6:
“Oh, mexty me,” he cried, in great distress. “What's happened to ye, Rab?”
