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.
Quotation dates: 1835-1965
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RAISIN, n. Also Sc. form reasin (Inv. 1722 Steuart Letter-Bk. (S.H.S.) 179). Sc. combs.: 1. raisin day, = 3.; 2. raisin kail, broth with raisins added, a traditional dish at weddings; 3. raisin Monday, a Monday in the course of the winter term in St. Andrews University when senior students traditionally demand from the first-year students a levy of a pound of raisins in return for their protective oversight (see quots.).1. Fif. 1895 College Echoes (14 Nov.) 26:
A first year's man not a Bejant? We shall see: Raisin Day approaches.2. Lnk. 1835 W. Watt Poems (1860) 94:
There were raisin kail, and sweet-milk saps, And ewe-milk cheese in whangs and flaps.Edb. 1865 W. Hutchison Tales of Leith 336:
Wi' raisin-kail, et-cetera, Began the wedding feast.3. Sc. 1894 H. Rashdall Universities of Europe II. 636:
At St Andrews a custom lingers by which the freshman has the right to demand a packet of raisins from any freshman he meets who has not previously paid this due. This is a clear relic of the bejaunia.Fif. 1936 St. Andrews Cit. (28 Nov.) 8:
Formerly, on Raisin Monday, every bejant had to give a quantity of raisins to a senior student, who gave him a receipt in Latin.Fif. 1954 Edb. Ev. Dispatch (26 Oct.):
In addition, the first-year student [at St. Andrews] is required to know by heart the University song, "Gaudeamus," in Latin. If he fails to repeat it on demand by a senior, he is liable to pay another toll of raisins.Fif. 1965 Gsw. Herald (9 Nov.) 18:
Novel receipts on view among students of St Andrews University yesterday when Raisin Monday was observed with the exchange of gifts and receipts between first year and senior students.
