Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WALLY-DYE, int. Also waladay (Sc. 1724 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) I. 81), wail-a-day, weel-a-day. Sc. forms of Eng. well-a-day, exclam. of sorrow (Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck vi.; Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ iii. xxxiv.). Liter. or arch.Sc. 1745 Scots Mag. (June) 274:
Heart-riving news! ah! wail-a-day! my friend!Ayr. 1790 J. Fisher Poems 114:
Alake, for sic a master! That e'er I kent ye, wal-a-day!Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet Letter xi.:
Whilk his master occupied while he was living, and where he now lay in state, as they caa'd it, weel-a-day.
