Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PARAFFIN, n. Sc. usage: a smart, flashy appearance, esp. in dress, “get-up, turn-out”. Sc, slang.Gsw. 1935 McArthur & Long No Mean City 28, 164:
In the language of the Gorbals, he was “well put on” and proud of his “paraffin”. There was actually a paraffin dressing on his sleek black hair and, perhaps there may be some association of ideas between slumland's passion for smoothed and glistering crops and its general term for a smart appearance. . . . He began to pull off his shoes — those tony-red shoes which were part of the special “paraffin” which he had acquired since they had begun to make a success of the dancing.Gsw. 1936 K. Mackenzie Living Rough 161:
I figured in Glaswegian language that I was “well put on” with my new paraffin.Ags. 1964 D. Philips Hud yer Tongue 57:
Paraffin once locally implied a rather vulgar flamboyance of manner, frequently evident in youths given to sporting P'inters. Ags. 1990s:
Pittin oan the paraffin: all dolled up in an inexpensive but eye-catching outfit.
