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 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BAD, adj. or quasi-adv. Mainly used of health but also of a disturbed or anxious state of mind. [bɑd]

1. adj.

(1) Unwell, sick, in pain, ill in body. Gen.Sc.n.Sc. 1931 Abd. Press and Jnl. (5 Nov.) 7:
In reply to whose query regarding his health, the Premier [Mr J. Ramsay MacDonald] replied in the local Doric: “I'm nae sae bad, Meggie” [i.e. I am pretty well].ne.Sc. 1820 William Mackie compiler, ed. David Stevenson The Diary of a Canny Man (1991) 28:
17th February, 1820
Have been bad of a headache with last night's drink and disturbance.Gsw. 1879 A. G. Murdoch Rhymes and Lyrics 32:
“Guidsake!” cried Pate, an' wheel't aboot, “Lord, ay! ye're lookin' desperate bad.”Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.:
He has been bad this month and more.

(2) Hence also, distressed in mind, anxious.Edb. 1876 J. Smith Archie and Bess 46:
Mind he's aye yer faither; an' he's unco bad aboot ye. [Bad in sense (1) is rare in St.Eng. (See N.E.D.) It is admitted by the Concise but not by the Un. Eng. Dict. In sense (2) it is not recorded in Eng. dictionaries.]

2. adv. Badly. Gen.Sc. Obs. in St.Eng.Mry.² 1931:
How are you gettin on? — No' bad ata' — i.e. pretty well.e.Dmf.² 1917:
I like it bad — i.e. I do not like it at all.

Phr. in bad breid. See Breid.