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.
Quotation dates: 1808-1841, 1950
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WHITSUN, n. Also Whissen-, Whussen. As in Eng. Sc. combs.: (1) Whissenbank, a state of confusion or uproar, so called from Whitsunbank Fair, held near Wooler in Nhb. on Whitsun Tuesday, and once the largest sheep fair in North England. Also in Nhb. dial.; (2) Whussen rent, rent payable on the term day at Whitsunday, q.v.; (3) Whitsun-tryste, a sheep market held at Whitsun, the one referred to under (1). See Tryst, n., 3.(1) Bwk. 1950:
The room's like whissenbank.(2) Gsw. 1841 W. Aitken Poet. Works 63:
Ye maun tak' care how things are spent, What ere may betide
It's ye maun mind the Whussen rent, For our ain fireside.(3) Sc. 1808 in Lockhart Scott Autobiog.:
The master and servant set off to purchase a stock of sheep at Whitsun-Tryste.
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"Whitsun n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/whitsun>
