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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.

Quotation dates: 1880-1956

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SMOLIE, v., n. Also smoly, smolly, smully. [′smolɪ]

I. v. To disdain, scorn, hold in contempt.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 101:
Trath I wad smolly tae misca him.Ork. 1904 Dennison Sketches 29:
An' gin th'u wad no' smully, burd, I'll pree yin lips o' thine.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
I wad smoly tae do a thing like that.

II. n. Scorn, disdain, contempt, a slight, disparagement (Ork. 1929 Marw.); a slander (Ork. 1970).Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 13:
I meant nae smolie tae the King.Ork. 1956 C. M. Costie Benjie's Bodle 91:
Naebody's gaan tae cast a smolly on me for bidan heem whin ither boys is gaan.

[Orig. doubtful. Marw. suggests O.N. smá, to disdain, which is possible, though the simple form of the v. has not survived into Norw. or Dan. (cf. Forsmo). The -ly might be due to small, Smally, or the synonymous Lichtlie.]

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