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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

AMPERS(Y)AND, -ZAND, EPPERSYAND-SHEEAND, -SHAN(D), ABERZEANT, n. Forms of the name, esp. among printers, for the sign & [′ɑmpərsɑnd + z (for s), ′ɑmpersɪ̢and + z Sc.; ′abərzɪ̢ant I.Sc.; ′ɛpərsɪ̢ɑnd + z, -ʃiɑnd, -ʃɑn(d) ne.Sc.]Sc. 1931 (from various printers):
Ampersyand, ampersand [the latter being the common Eng. form].Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.:
Aberzeant. [Expl. by Edm. as “et cetera.”]Bnff.2 1931:
Eppershand. — In my youth it was quite common for children to recite the alphabet, always ending up with eppershand.Abd. 1880 Notes and Q. (19 June) 500:
Eppersyand.Abd.7 1925:
Eppershan, ammpersand.Abd.4 1929:
Epper-shee-and.

[Corruptions of “and per se — and,” “et per se — and,” phr. formerly used at school in naming the character &, which followed the letters of the alphabet in the hornbook. Abersay is not the same word but see Ebbasay.]

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