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.
UPON, prep. Also upo (Abd. 1754 R. Forbes Shop Bill 34; m.Lth. 1819 J. Thomson Poems 175; Ags. 1861 R. Leighton Poems 40; Abd. 1929 Abd. Book-Lover VI. iii. 79) (see O, prep., 2.), upae (Ags. 1853 W. Blair Aberbrothock 9, 45, Ags. 1910); and I.Sc. forms Apae, Api, Apo', Ipo. Sc. forms and usages. Sc. also tends to keep upon where Eng. now uses on only (Edb. 1772 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 73; Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 24; Mry. 1806 J. Cock Simple Strains 135; Lth. 1856 M. Oliphant Lilliesleaf xxviii.; Abd. 1865 G. MacDonald Alec Forbes xi.; Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 82; Ork. 1907 Old-Lore Misc. I. ii. 61; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl. 10, s.v. Ag). [ə′po(n)]
1. Used where Eng. employs a different prep.: (1) about, concerning, esp. after certain verbs of remembering, thinking, discussing. See On, prep., 2. (1).Abd. 1926 Abd. Univ. Review (March 114:
A min' upo' bein' sent t' the niest craftie t' speer if Geordie Knox wid come and help ma fader.
(2) = at. Phrs. upon the heid o, at the head of (Sh., Abd. 1973); to be upo, to be insistent with, to urge, importune (Sh. 1973).Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 92:
Makes a leader march upon the head of his men.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (10 July):
I shook my neive apon him.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (10 Dec.):
Da lasses wis apo' Willie ta sing dem a sang.
(3) of time, incidence: = during (I.Sc., Bnff., Abd. 1973), in the course of.Mry. 1858 G. Mann Poems 56:
I rin for fear my head ye'll crush And sleep upon the day.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 7:
The spate cam' on upo' the nicht, An' a' gaed doon the burn.Abd. 1930:
They cam upo the nicht and took awa the horse.
(4) of place or manner: = in (Sh., ne.Sc., Ags., Per., Dmf. 1973). See On, prep., 2. (5).Edb. 1735 Process Wright v. Din 26:
Donaldson came there upon the Street.Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 24:
To meet one upon the street.Sc. 1824 Scott St Ronan's W. xxii.:
She wondered why Miss Clara Moubrie didna wear that grand shawl and her just sitting upon the wind of a door.Abd. 1836 J. Grant Tales of Glens (1869) 54:
We waur upon nae hurry brakin' up.Sh. 1900 Shetland News (7 July):
Will ye hae ony mair tae, bairns? Der plenty apo' da pot.
(5) = to (Sh. 1973).Abd. 1801 W. Beattie Parings (1873) 30:
Just keep yer hands upo' yoursell.
(6) in regard to persons: (i) = with, with the behaviour of (Sh. 1973).Sh. 1897 Shetland News (22 May):
I tink shü wisna plased apo' Sibbie.
(ii) in respect of marriage: = to, with. Gen.Sc. See On, prep., 2. (7).Rxb. 1706 J. J. Vernon Par. Hawick (1900) 114:
Ane supernumerarie mariage of the said John Hardie upon Isobell Atkine.Ayr. 1821 Galt Annals i.:
My marriage upon my own cousin.Abd. 1877 G. MacDonald M. of Lossie v.:
God forbid she sud be married upon ony sic a bla'guard!Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xxi.:
She was married upon my Uncle Robin.
2. In phrs.: (1) to be upon the mind o, to be of the same mind as, to agree with (Sh. 1973); (2) to be upo go, to be on the go, to be in use and activity. See also Go, n.2, 2. (2); (3) to fall upon sleep, to fall asleep (Ork. 1973).(1) Sh. 1899 Shetland News (23 Sept.):
Doo's apo' my mind, Sibbie.(2) Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xliii.:
An' fat sud be upo' go noo, but a braw new viacle!(3) Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums 100:
He would fa' upon a rosy sleep.
