Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1805-1824, 1901-1923, 1991
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WASP, n. Also wesp (Wgt. 1912 A.O.W.B. Fables 55); wisp (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl); and in reduced forms, from the met. form waps (also found in Eng. dial.), esp. in children's usage, wap (Cai. 1934), dim. wappie (Fif., w.Lth. 1958). Sc. forms and usages:
Sc. form of Eng. wasp.Fif. 1991 John Brewster in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 164:
Dubs glaizie wi nectar,
Pocked in drouned waps.
Sc. usages:
1. As in Eng. Combs. wasp-bike, a wasps' nest (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; ne.Sc., Ags., Per., wm.Sc. 1973). See Byke, n.1, 1.; also fig.; wasp-bink, id. (Lth., Rxb. 1825 Jam., s.v. Bink). See Bink, n.1, 6. Ppl.adj. waspit, thin or constricted in the waist, like a wasp.Rnf. 1805 G. MacIndoe Poems 60:
Dream'd o' bum-flees, Bag-pipes, wasp-bikes, and hives o' bees.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 463:
A man is said to look waspit, when he is got small at the wazban o' the breeks.Arg. 1901 N. Munro Doom Castle iii.:
They found themselves in a wasp's byke.Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 31:
A suppose ye ken yt Gallowa's hotchin wi poets; a wasp-bike's naething till't!Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 250:
He pat the rung in the wasp-bike an' reeshl't it.
2. A weapon used by rioters (see quot.).m.Sc. 1820 Edb. Ev. Courant (8 April) 3:
A pike and sham javelin, technically called a wasp.
3. A nickname for Alloa Athletic Football Club, from their yellow and black striped jerseys (m.Sc. 1930; Edb. 1964 J. T. R. Ritchie Singing Street 120).
