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.
Quotation dates: 1876-1913, 1988-2000
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SQUEEF, n., v. Also squeaf-, squiff. A mean, disreputable character, shabby in appearance and worthless in conduct; used generally as a term of abuse (Gall. 1824 MacTaggert Gallov. Encycl. 435, Dmf., Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 354; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; wm., sm. and s.Sc. 1971); and, with less pejorative force, a male flirt or jilter (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.), a mischievous lad (Ib.).Sc. 1876 Bk. of Sc. Story 489:
Come back, ye squiff.Wgt. 1877 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 194:
A drucken squeef of a fellow.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr. Duguid 237:
She was seen an' kent singin' on the streets wi' the squeef she had ta'en up wi'.Slk. 1899 C. M. Thomson Drummeldale 151:
If that squeef, Airthur Hamilton, only keeps away till oo're mairrit, it'll bei a' richt.Ags. 1988 Raymond Vettese The Richt Noise 17:
" ... here's the wyce tune
aince mair awa an' dinnillin lugs
wi a wow! that disna lippen on drugs
but's a ferlie gien a dicht tae the glum,
tae ilka thowless squeef, tae aa we've become. ... " Ayr. 2000:
Ye drunken squeef.
Derivs. (1) squeaffish, disreputable, mean-looking, base; (2) squeefy, id.(1) Dmf. 1903 J. L. Waugh Thornhill 166:
Weel, weel, ye've baith a guid name and a guid job, — no like me, wi' a squeaffish name like Baggarel.(2) Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ III. xii.:
Oh hoo wauf, hoo swickfu', ondeemas an' squeefy are a' thir pleesures!Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums 41:
Alice trig and bonnie as ever, but Rab vera squeefy and disjaskit.
