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.
NANES, n. Also (n)aince. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. nonce, in phr. for the nanes: 1. as in Eng. freq. used as a metrical tag; 2. expressly, for a particular purpose, in one particular context, for a joke (Cai. 1963). Obs. exc. dial. in Eng.1. Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 106:
Thir damnit faes that siege our wa' Wi' wappens for the nanes.Sc. 1928 J. G. Horne Lan'wart Loon 22:
An', for the nanes, he was a reiver.2. Cai. 1903 E.D.D.:
To say a thing “for en aince”, usually, as a kind of joke, not quite seriously. The three syllables are heard as one word.Cai. 1949:
Never mind him: he's only saying it for 'e naince.
