Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SIN, n.2, v. Sc. usages:
I. n. 1. In Combs.: (1) sin-pelter, one who castigates sin, a preacher, clergyman, used jocularly. Cf. Pelt, v.1, 1.; (2) sin-stappit, stuffed with sin.(1) Sc. 1844 Sc. Songs (Whitelaw) 494:
Wae to the haly sin-pelter, Who kippl't the carl to me.(2) Abd. 1875 G. MacDonald Malcolm I. ii.:
A' the ill dreams that ever gethered aboot a sin-stappit bowster.
2. Blame, fault, esp. in to hae nae sin o', to bear no blame or reproach for (Sh. 1970).Per. 1857 J. Stewart Sketches 66:
Scrimpit keepit ha' Geordie has nae sin o'.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (23 April):
Fish or no fish, Magnie 'ill no hae sin for hungering da huiks.Abd. (coast) 1957:
Ye've nae sin o' us: you have done everything you could for us, been very good to us.
3. Pity, a sense of sympathy or shame (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Sc. 1911 N.E.D., “still in colloq. use, esp. in Sc.”; Sh. 1970). Cf. also Norw. dial. d'er synd i, Swed. det är synd om, I am sorry for.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
I tocht sin aboot da puir boddi.
II. v. 1. tr. To make to sin, seduce.Kcb. 1890 A. J. Armstrong Musings 39:
The look o't wad hae sin'd a saunt, Made teeth wi' water soom.
2. In phrs.: (1) sinned corn, see quot.; (2) to sin one's mercies, to be ungrateful for one's blessings, to show ingratitude to Providence; (3) to sin one's soul, to incur the guilt of sin, to bring sin upon (oneself) (Sh., ne.Sc., Per., wm.Sc., Kcb. 1970), esp. in regard to deliberate falsehood. Also in Ir. dial.(1) Cai. 1903 Sc. N. & Q. (Ser. 2) V. 39:
This phrase, which is still current, appears to be a survival of the days when tithes were taken of field produce. Whatever grain was kept back fraudulently went by the name of “sinned” corn.(2) Sc. 1824 Scott Letters (Cent. Ed.) VIII. 163:
Your American friend seems disposed, as we say, ‘to sin her mercies.' She quarrels with books that amuse her, because she does not know the author.Lth. 1849 M. Oliphant M. Maitland viii.:
“Why I should confess to envy him, I don't clearly see.” “Surely, Mr Allan, it would be sinning your mercies.”(3) Fif. 1894 A. S. Robertson Provost 37:
I'm jist sittin' here sinnin' my soul aboot the auld fule.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (15 Jan.):
Hit'll only vex an' sin your souls to spaek o' edder Willa or her story.
