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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TEENIE, prop. n. Sc. familiar form of the female name Christina. Sc. usages: a somewhat derogatory term for a junior domestic servant, a housemaid, a “skiffy”; an effeminate man. Gen. (exc. I.) Sc. Phrs. a greetin Teenie, a lachrymose, peevish or complaining person, male or female. Gen.Sc.; Teenie frae Troon, a somewhat garishly or tastelessly dressed woman, implying someone up to town for the day in rather incongruous finery (wm.Sc. 1972; Cai., Bnff., Ags., Fif., Edb., Gsw., Ayr., Rxb. 2000s). -frae the neeps, id. (Ags. 1972).Sc. c.1925 R. Thomas Sandie McWhustler's Waddin' 88:
Mrs Treecal, her hoosekeeper, had flyted on Trimmins, the wee teeny, for mislayin't.
Rnf. 1935 L. Kerr Woman of Glenshiels 51:
“Teenie frae Troon,” her father shouted, “She's surely not going out in that rig.”
Edb. 2004:
Ye look like Teenie fae Troon in that get up.

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