Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SINNIE, n.1 Also sinn(e)y, sinee, seeny, seenie, sunny. Sc. forms of Eng. senna (Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 265; Sh., Ork., Bnff. 1970). Comb. sinny-leaf, id. (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); seenie pods, Sc. form of Eng. senna pod; sunny, sinny-tay, -tea, (an infusion of) senna. [′sɪne]Rnf. 1790 A. Wilson Poems 39:
But mention Poetry, they'll gaunt An' gloom, as gin't war Sinee.Abd. 1886 Northern Figaro (31 July) 10:
Tae tak' a dose o' salts an' sinney.Hdg. 1903 J. Lumsden Toorle 41:
Drink a muckle jougfu' o' sauts an' sinny.Rxb. 1922 Kelso Chron. (6 Jan.) 4:
“Sunny” leaves which were “masked” like tea.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 93:
Haf a pound o' sinnie tay fur da kaff. Gsw. 1972 Molly Weir Best Foot Forward (1974) 51:
For lazy bowels, my mother's favourite cure was senna pods, or 'seenie pods' as we called them.
