Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

AH-BAY-SAY, n. Also aw-be-sae. The alphabet. (Cf. Abbacee.) [ɑ:be:se:]Ork. 1920 J. Firth Remin. Ork. Par. 131:
After learning the alphabet, or “ah-bay-say,” as it was called, in the following wide-mouthed pronunciation: ah, bay, say, day [etc.].Ags. 1853 W. Blair Aberbrothock 61:
Her dochter . . . gae the bairns the aw-be-sae lessons.