Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
SOWF, n., adj. Also souff, sowff and deriv. souffle. [sʌuf]
I. n. 1. A fool, a simpleton, a stupid, silly person (Kcd. 1825 Jam., souff(le); Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 176; Abd. 1929).Mry. 1865 W. Tester Poems 160:
Though I, puir sowf, sud hang condemn't.Abd. 1995 Flora Garry Collected Poems 43:
Wifies in safties, snibbin back-doors,
Hard him an mummelt: 'Peer sowff!'
2. A lazy, idle, drunken fellow (Kcd. 1825 Jam., souff(le)).
II. adj. Feeble-minded, simple (Abd. 1933). Comb. sowf-heid, a fool (Abd. 1969).
[Imit. Cf. Sumph.]
