Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡GILLY-GAWKIE, n., v., adj. Also gillie-, -gaukie.

†I. n. A silly young person; “a long-made and rompish girl” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 229, gilly-gawkie). Cf. Gillygacus, -gawpus.Lnk. c.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 139:
He has twa gigglet gilliegaukies o' dochters.Ayr. 1833 J. Kennedy Geordie Chalmers 213:
Dinna be wiled aff your feet by a gilly-gawkie.Slk. 1835 Hogg Wars Montrose I. 74:
You mouse-trap, you gillie-gawkie, I say go away hame.

†II. v. “To spend time idly and foolishly” (Lth. 1825 Jam.).

III. adj. Foolish.m.Lth.¹ 1954:
Git on wi' the wark an no stan' there an look sae gilly-gawkie.