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: 1778-1824, 1935
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SIM, prop. n. Also Sym and dim. forms Simmie, Symmie, Symie (Sc. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Shep. ii. i.; Bwk. 1823 A. Hewit Poems 114). Reduced forms of the prop. name Simon, Simeon. [′sɪm(e), ′səim(i). The short vowel and diphthongal forms appear in the Sc. surnames Sim and Syme respectively. See 1824 quot. below.]
Sc. usages: 1. in phr. like Simie [′sɪme] or Symie [′səimi], exactly alike, with nothing to choose between them, much of a muchness (see quot.).Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 427:
When there are two things quite like one another we say they are like simie or symie, either of which will answer for the name Simeon.
2. A jocular name for the Devil, Satan. Cf. Nick.Sc. 1778 Weekly Mag. (18 Feb.):
They're nought but just Auld Symmie's spauls.Ayr. 1789 D. Sillar Poems 127:
Sym gade sic an' elritch croon, 'Maist gard the mill come tumblin' down.Slk. 1824 Hogg Confessions (1874) 518:
That's the man Auld Simmie fixes on to mak a dischclout o'.Sc. 1935 D. Rorie Lum Hat 23:
Symie's brookit bourachie.
