Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1854-1930
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‡SAWTAN, n. Also Sautan, Sattan, Sahtan, Sathan. Dim. Sautie. Sc. forms of Eng. Satan. [′sɑ:tən, ′sǫ:-; I.Sc. ′sɑ:θən]
1. The Devil, Satan. Also in comb. Auld Sautie, id. See Auld, 3.; transf. a rascal, an imp, scamp.Sc. 1854 D. Vedder Poems 188:
Wi' cawk an' keel upon a deal, She scrawl'd the marks o' Sathan.m.Lth. 1857 Misty Morning 22:
The young sautan crawl'd up owre its lugs on tae its back.Sc. 1867 St Andrews Gazette (22 June):
In the middle of his oration the learned Professor had a thought about Satan — or 'Sattan', as he called his Satanic Majesty.Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xv.:
As sune as I can win to stand on my twa feet we'll be aff frae this craig o' Sawtan.Kcb. 1894 Crockett Lilac Sunbonnet xxiii.:
As if ye had dung doon the Bible an' selled yersel' to Sawtan.Ags. 1897 Bards Ags. (Reid) 498:
John flittit; he would plough nae mair Whaur Sawtan fleggit him sae sair.Sh. 1924 T. Manson Peat Comm. 205:
Dat Sathan guid awey dis moarnin wi' twa idder boys ta look fur birds eggs i da banks.Abd. 1930 Abd. Univ. Review (March) 109:
It's that imp o' Sahtan again.
2. A small light shooting marble of a reddish colour, appar. so called because of the mischief it could cause to one's opponents' marbles (Slg. 1921 T.S.D.C. IV., sautie, Slg. 1969, sawtan).
