Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DEM, pron. Sh. form of Eng. them (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.;1914 Angus Gl.).  See P.L.D.§ 165. Also used in ethic dat. construction.Sh. 1898 “Junda” Klingrahool 5:
Hit wid open hits lips ta da moarneen dew, An close dem at nicht whin da caald wind blew.Sh. 1949 New Shetlander No. 19. 25:
Dey wir haddin' dem a wark.

Hence 1. demlanes, “they alone without company” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); 2. demsels, themselves (Ib.).2. Sh. 1926–28 J. G. in Sh. Times:
Lat dem fin oot fir demsels.