Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TOY, n. [tɔe]
I. n. A cap or head-dress, of linen or wool, with a flat crown and a back-flap or lappet reaching to the shoulders, worn by married and elderly women, a style of Mutch (Sc. 1825 Jam.). Obs. exc. hist. Comb. toy-mutch, id.Ork. 1703 B. H. Hossack Kirkwall (1900) 418:
[She] did beat her on the neck and rent her toy and hair.Edb. 1726 Edb. Ev. Courant (18 Jan.):
5 fine Holland Toys and 2 of Muslen.Abd. 1746 W. Forbes Dominie Depos'd (1765) ii. i.:
The toy-mutch maun then gae on Nae mair bare hair'd.Sc. c.1750 T. Somerville Life (1861) 329:
The elder ladies wore large linen caps called toys, encroaching on the face, and tied under the chin.m.Lth. c.1760 Scottish Studies V. 223:
Widows and young women that had been guilty of furnication were Married with toys seued round with lace.Ayr. 1786 Burns To a Louse vi.:
I wad na been surpris'd to spy You on an auld wife's flannen toy.Kcb. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 IX. 325:
The tenants wives wore toys of linen of the coaresest kind, upon their heads.Sc. 1827 Scott Surgeon's Daughter i.:
Her loose toy flying back from her face.Sc. 1857 Wilson's Tales of the Borders X. 66:
In her toy-mutch and check-apron.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 101:
Na, Robo' trath th'u'll t'are me toy.Fif. 1905 S. Tytler Daughter of Manse i. ii.:
A deep frill or “toy” to protect her neck from the sun.
