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.
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.
