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.
RIBBON, n. Sc. phrs.: 1. to be ringing on a ribbon, to be heading for trouble, “skating on thin ice”. See Ring, v.2; 2. to set one's ribbons for, to set one's cap at.1. Abd. 1904 E.D.D.:
A douce parent tells a playful child, “laddie, ye're ringin' on a ribbon”. It implies a threat = “be quiet, else — ”.2. Ayr. 1891 H. Johnston Kilmallie I. 159:
[She] set her ribbons for Dr. Dunwiddie's son when he came home at the vacations.
