Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1805-1938
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YAFF, v., n. Also yauff, yof, and reduplic. forms yaf(f)-yaf(f). Cf. Yowf. [jɑf, jçf]
I. v. 1. To bark, esp. with a high-pitched sound, to yelp (s.Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry Gl.; Bwk., Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 221, yaff out; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Slg., Bwk., Ayr., Rxb. 1974).Rxb. 1805 A. Scott Poems 79:
This said, up came a yaffing cur.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. i.:
Will ye no let me hear what the man wants wi' your yaffing?Rnf. 1827 W. Taylor Poems 49:
We heard colly yof at sic an hour.Slk. 1835 Hogg Tales (1874) 705:
The dog ran yauffin', an whiskin', an huntin', till he set a' the sheep ower the hill.Knr. 1878 J. L. Robertson Poems 82:
His faithfu' collie, dune wi' daffin', Stood heedless o' the toon-tykes' yaffin'.Sc. 1891 R. Ford Thistledown (1895) 46:
Wha is't that brings dogs to the kirk, yaff-yafffin'?Lnk. 1919 G. Rae Clyde and Tweed 95:
The yaffin collie dodges round each heel.
2. To chatter, to prate, talk pertly (s.Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry Gl.; Bwk., Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 221; Rxb. I923 Watson W.-B.; Lnk. 1974). Ppl.adj. yaffin, pert, forward in speech (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein).Lnk. 1838 J. Struthers Poet. Tales 94:
Wha tell ta tale, triumphant yaffin, Through a' ta town.m.Lth. 1857 Misty Morning 271:
I wonder what the yaffin vratch thinks.Lnk. 1863 J. Hamilton Poems 297:
An' rinnin' here and there, an' yaffin', Wi haveral tongue, 'mang lassocks gilpie.
3. To chide, carp, scold, speak sharply and critically (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.).m.Lth. 1885 J. Strathesk More Bits 257:
The auld harridan was a yammerin', yaffin', yelpin', yatterin' yad.Edb. 1916 T. W. Paterson Wyse-Sayin's xxi. 19:
Better hae yer dwallin on a bare, birslet knowe-heid, Than in-ower wi' ony fykie an' yaffin wumman.
II. n. 1. A bark, yelp, of a dog; a sharp barking call, of a bird.Gsw. 1872 J. Young Lochlomond Side 81:
The yaff camsteery o' red or black nosed poodle hairy.Hdg. 1908 J. Lumsden Th' Loudons 45:
A Cockney jake-daw ousted frae its hole, Because its yauff out-Wappin'd Wappin's ain.
2. Prattle, chatter.Lnk. 1868 W. McHutchinson Poems 67:
He learnt a' his yaff aff aul'-farrant grannie.
3. A chatterbox, a pert creature (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., 1942 Zai; Lth., Lnk., s.Sc. 1974); hence with contemptuous force, a puny, peevish, insignificant person (Watson). Cf. Nyaff.Lnk. 1887 A. Wardrop Mid-Cauther Fair 203:
The auld farrant luikin' yauff-o'-imagination that he is!Rxb. 1921 T.S.D.C.:
He's a puir shilpit, peel an eat yaff o' a crater.Peb. 1938 Border Mag. (Oct.) 155:
He wad tell me what he'd dae to the impident yaff.
