Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PRIMSIE, adj. Also primsy, premsie; primpsie (Ayr. 1825 Jam.); ¶princy. Self-consciously correct, demure, straight-laced, over-fastidious, old-maidish, gen. of women (Sc. 1808 Jam.; I.Sc. 1966). Cf. Primp, adj., prinkie s.v. Prink. [′prɪmzi]Ayr. 1787 Burns Halloween ix.:
Poor Willie, wi' his bow-kail runt, Was brunt wi' primsie Mallie.Ags. 1853 W. Blair Aberbrothock 91:
He was a princy-bodsy, he was; an' gif ony ane offendit 'im he wadna cut the King's langitch wi' them for months an' years to cum.Sc. 1862 A. Hislop Proverbs 38:
A primsie damsel maks a daidlin' dame.Sc. 1879 P. H. Waddell Isaiah iii. 16:
Primsy an' a' as they gang, an' jinglin wi' bells at their feet.Abd. 1912 J. Stephen Donside Lilts 23:
Ma premsie Jean, wi' doon-cast e'e, Now gyangs aboot an' mourns.Ags. 1929 in W. H. Hamilton Holyrood 25:
Bess is a thowless shilpit quean, Mary is mim an' primsy.
