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.
RAFF, v., adj.
I. v. To be full of mirth or fun, to abound with boisterous good spirits (Lth. 1880 Jam.). Gen. in ppl.adj. raffin, raffan, roistering, merry, boisterously hearty (Sc. 1818 Sawers; Per. 1967). Also adv.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 134:
Thy raffan rural Rhyme sae rare, Sic wordy, wanton, hand-wail'd Ware.Sc. 1736 Ramsay in D. Warrand Culloden Papers (1927) III. 115:
My saul was in a low That gart my rhimes sae raffan row.Sc. 1813 The Scotchman 116:
Mak a man a raffan hempy or a leal patriot.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 403:
Raffing Fallows — Ranting, roaring, drinking fellows.Ayr. 1826 R. Hetrick Poems 44:
So harmless, raffing, tairt, and free o' spite or guile.Fif. 1841 C. Gray Lays 227:
A ready, raffin, rustic rhymer.wm.Sc. 1937 W. Hutcheson Chota Chants 10:
When Andy gaes raffan by, skailing wi' life.
¶II. adj. Cheerful, contented (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.). Phs. a back-formation from raffin above.
[Orig. uncertain. I. may be an extended vbl. use of Raff, n.1]
