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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GOLDIE, n. 1. A familiar contr. for the goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Bwk. 1889 G. Muirhead Birds Bwksh. I. 148; ne.Sc. 1903 G. Sim Fauna of “Dee” 94; Bnff.² 1927; em.Sc., Lnk. 1954; Fif. 1990s; Bnff., Ags., Ayr. 2000s; and for the allied species, the siskin, Spinus spinus (em.Sc.(a) 1906 J. A. Harvie-Brown Fauna Tay Basin 113). Also used for the golden-crested wren, Regulus regulus (Uls. 1910 C. C. Russell Ulster 50). Also in Eng. dial.Peb. 1817 R. Brown Lintoun Green 41:
A goldie's nest it might ha'e been, It was sae round and warm.Ayr. 1841 J. Paton Songs 39:
And goldies may chirp and pick seeds on his graft.Fif. 1894 A. S. Robertson Provost 23:
Linties an' goldies were fleein' a' aroond makin' the air cheery wi' their sangs.wm.Sc. 1904 “H. Foulis” Erchie xxvii.:
It's a fine bird a goldie if ye get a guid yin; it can whustle better nor a canary.Wgt. 1912 A.O.W.B. Fables frae French 64:
That Goldie — weel, she micht hae learnt a tune If frae him [linnet] she had gat a trainin' sune.Sc. 1954 Scots Mag. (Jan.) 314:
Waste ground with thistly patches was the place for goldies.

2. The red-breasted minnow.Fif. 1946 J. C. Forgan Maistly 'Muchty 10:
I'd gang doon by the Plains an' for goldies I'd fish, In yon deep minnen ditch I weel ken.

3. A glass of whisky (Edb., Gsw., Ayr. 2000s).Rnf. 1972 Bill Bryden Willie Rough 17:
I'd pour out that hauf, Eddie. It's great how the prospect o a wee goldie fairly gies a man acceleration.Gsw. 1985 Jeff Torrington in Peter Kravitz Edinburgh Review 71 6:
Twigging that Dolan was less interested in his lighter than he was in tossing over a few more goldies, I volunteered to go.Gsw. 1985 Michael Munro The Patter 75:
wee goldie An affectionate term for a glass of whisky: 'Ah'm fur a wee goldie this time.'Gsw. 1987 James Kelman Greyhound for Breakfast (1988) 175:
Well a half pint then. Or a wee yin? a goldie - eh? I'm having one myself.Edb. 1992:
She'd too many of the wee goldies last night and she's sufferin this morning.Sc. 1992 Herald 17 Jul 14:
But the next time there is a hike in prices I want it to go to the barpersons who have been serving old topers like me for the past 30 years. Danny, do I get a free wee goldie for that?Sc. 1997 Daily Record 9 Aug 2:
Order up a "wee Goldie" and toast Vintage Taittinger's good health at Ayr today. Sc. 2001 Sunday Herald 4 Feb 1:
Who's for a small refreshment? Get that down your throat, it'll warm you up. What's your poison? A wee goldie can't do any harm, can it?Sc. 2004 Daily Record 27 Oct 8:
The Chinese have the fastest growing economy in the world - and their taste for a wee goldie is increasing almost as quickly.
And whisky drinking is growing in the United States, France and India as well.