Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
Quotation dates: 1887-1913
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DICHTY, adj. In phr. dichty water, dichty water English (see second quot.); (Ags. 1901 W. J. Milne Reminisc. 202). Known to Ags.6 1875; Ags.17 1940, — English.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 124–5:
Hoosomever, on the strength of his southern travels, he affecked a very scunnersome kin' o' dichty water in his talk.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 225:
Dichty water is the affected fine talk of a Scotchman who would be thought a Southerner, and who, ignorant of the beauty and strength of his own vernacular, makes a ludicrous attempt to Anglicise it.
