Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CHUSE, v. Sc. form of Eng. choose (m.Sc. 1873 D.S.C.S. 204, 1921 Grant & Dixon M.M.S. 127; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–16 Wilson; Rxb. 1942 Zai) [tʃe:z, tʃœ:z]. Pa.t. †chaise (m.Sc. 1873 D.S.C.S., 1921 Grant & Dixon M.M.S. 127) [m.Sc. tʃe:z], now gen. chose after St.Eng. Pa.p. chosen, choosen (Lnk. 1902 A. Wardrop Hamely Sk. 62); †chuis't (m.Sc. 1873 D.S.C.S. 204). The alternative form in n.Sc., and occas. also in s.Sc., is Choise above ( < Fr. choisir). See also Cheese, v. ( < O.E. cēosan), and Choose. Phr. choose yer lovie, the name of a game (see quot.).Abd. 1920 A. Robb MS. ii.:
They were playin' at a game ca'd “choose yer lovie”, and I'll tell ye fat wye they were playin'. The women and the men joined hands—a lass and a lad time aboot. Ane o' the lads wis blindfoldet and he steed up in the middle o' the ring. They a' danced roon and roon and blindie tried to catch the Queen. The Queen wis chosen and a ribbon tied into her hair to lat her be kent. If blindie could catch her he got a kiss o' a' the lassies in the ring. Gin he only got haud o' an ordinar ane, he kissed her and took his place on her richt hand in the ring and the lad on her left took his place in the middle.
