Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

AY, AE, int. An exclamation of surprise or wonder. [e:]Sc. 1800 Monthly Mag. IX. 324:
They [sc. the Scots] often use the ancient Ay, for Ah! or Oh!Sc. a.1827 Jamie Douglas in Ballads ed. Child (1904) No. 204 viii.:
O wae be unto thee, Blackwood, An ae an ill death may ye dee!Bnff.(D) 1930 E. S. Rae A Waff o' win' fae Benachie 58:
Ae, siccan road, I'm clartit owre the croon.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 44:
Ay, an exclamation of surprise, sorrow, etc. = “ah!”

Phrase: Ay whow.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 44:
Ay whow! denoting surprise or weariness.