Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†PRESTINGOLVA, n. Also presten- (Jak.). ¶prostingolva. A Shet. tabu-name for a clergyman, a minister (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 178, prost-, 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., 1949 Scots Mag. (Nov.) 131). See also Predikanter, id.I.Sc. 1884 R. M. Fergusson Rambles 165:
Ministers must not be spoken of either. They are mentioned as Upstanders, hoydeen, or prestingolva. [The first element is Norw. presten, priest, with suff. art. The second element is obscure. Jak. suggests O.N. kufl, hood, cowl, but there are phonological difficulties.
