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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

EEVIE, Eevy, n. Sc. forms of Eng. ivy. Also comb. creepin evie, convolvulus (Bnff.2 1928; Abd.27 1949). Used in children's skipping rhyme (Bwk.3 1949), see second quot. [′i:vi]Abd. 1891 G. W. Anderson Strathbogie 33:
As lang's creepin-eevie sticks tae the wa' The muckle hoose o' Gordon will never fa'.
Ags. 1948 J. C. Rodger Lang Strang 21:
Eevy, ivy, turn the rope over Mother's gone to the butcher to buy beef for Rover. . . . At “eevy, ivy” the rope is swung from side to side.

[In the children's rhyme, eevy may be an assimilated form from some meaningless exclamation.]

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