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.
Quotation dates: 1898
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NEIL, prop. n. Also †Niel. The male Christian name, esp. common in the Highlands now also common in the Lowlands and in Eng. (Sc. 1746 Lyon in Mourning (S.H.S.) I. 296, Per. a.1786 Harp Per. (Ford 1893) 410, Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality xx., Niel). In phr. Auld Neil, as a humorous name for the Devil. Hence ¶his Neilship. [nil]Per. 1898 C. Spence Poems 188:
For ilka year Auld Neil took ane, And if a wight they hadna cabbit, Ane o' themsels his Neilship nabbit.
