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.
USUAL, adj. Also uswal (Lnk. 1880 Clydesdale Readings 144), †usewall (Ags. 1728 A. Reid Kirriemuir (1909) 94), uswil (Sh. 1918 T. Manson Peat Comm. 156), uswill (Sth. 1747 C. D. Bentinck Dornoch (1926) 538); üswil (Sh. 1904 E.D.D.), üzwal (Sh. 1914 Angus (Gl.); öswil; yuisual (Ags. 1946 Forfar Dispatch (14 Feb.)). Adv. yaisially (Rxb. 1965 Hawick Express (28 July) 4). For ne.Sc. form see Eeswal.
Sc. usages. [′je:z(j)əl; I.Sc. ′øzwəl. See Use.]
Sc. phr., also in colloq. or dial. Eng.: one's (auld) usual, one's usual state of health, frame of mind; one's usual self. Gen.Sc.Sc. 1787 A. & H. Tayler Lord Fife and his Factor (1925) 185:
I some days ago met the Duke of Gordon and he was sulky and in his usual.Sc. 1887 A. S. Swan Gates of Eden xx.:
Aunt Susan is in her usual, I know.Ags. 1897 F. Mackenzie Northern Pine 239:
Haste ye, umman, an' get back to your auld usual.Sh. 1900 Shetland News (7 July):
Shü's juist in her öswil.Dmb. 1931 A. J. Cronin Hatter's Castle iii. iv.:
I'm just not quite my usual this mornin'.Sc. 1965 Weekly Scotsman (30 Dec.) 18:
He's had us all on the run today. It's not his usual, at all.
