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.
NAN, prop. n. Also in dim. forms Nan(n)ie, Nanny, Nannock (Mry. 1975). Pet form of (1) Ann (Sc. 1724 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) I. 44; Ayr. 1790 Burns Tam o' Shanter 211, Abd., Fif. 1975); (2) Agnes, by association with Nanse (Rnf. 1813 E. Picken Poems II. 60; Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck v., Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson, I.Sc., Ags., Fif. 1975). The female Christian name, in comb. nanny washtail, the pied wagtail, Alba yarrelli (Slg. 1885 Trans. Slg. Nat. Hist. and Arch. Soc. 61). Also in Eng. dial. Phs. not Sc.