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: 1830, 1912-1913, 1986
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MESCHANT, adj., n. Also meshant; mischant; mus(c)hin-. [′mɪʃən-, mə′ʃɑnt-]
I. adj. Wicked, bad, evil, offensive. Chiefly Sc. since 16th c. Now only in combs. and derivs.: 1. mushinfow, cruel (w.Lth. 1825 Jam.); 2. meshantlie, mischantlie, cruelly, wickedly. Obs. in Eng.; 3. mischantness, wickedness, mischief; 4. mischanpratt, muschinprat, a mischievous trick (Lth. 1825 Jam.). See Pratt; ironically, a great or important deed (Fif. 1825 Jam.); 5. mischant youther, meshantydoor, mechantoder, a disagreeable or offensive smell (n.Sc., Lth., w.Sc. 1825 Jam.). The second element represents odour.2. Dmf. 1830 R. Broun Mem. Curl. Mab. 88:
I'm right mischantlie dealt wi'.Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ iii. xxvi.:
Carnal consolement . . . draas me awa frae the luve o' things eternal, an' meshantlie weises me tae the sel o't be pittin' afore me some delichtsome guid.3. Wgt. 1912 A.O.W.B. Fables 14:
A pawky Paddock, wi' a Rat acquent, Ance on a time was on mischantness bent.5. Abd. 1912 Scotsman (19 Jan.):
“Meshantydoor” (accent on second syllable), used to describe a bad smell (méchant odeur). I was told some time ago of the word being used by a farmer's wife when passing near a pig-sty, the good lady at the same time holding her nose to keep out the objectionable smell.Edb. 1986:
Incidentally, my ancient Granny (born ca 1850) spoke natural Edinburgh Scots, and she had at least two "Frenchisms" ...; and I have heard her refer to a "mechantoder that wad scomfish a cuddy", clearly a "mechant odeur" a "bad smell" that would nauseate a donkey.
II. n. Nonce eclectic usage: the wicked, evil-doers.Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ iii. iv.:
The girns an' the venim o' the meschant.
