Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GOSH, n. Used as in Eng. as an excl. (gen. of surprise) or mild oath, but note Sc. usages in following exclamatory phrs.: gosh be here (Abd.9 1920; Sh., Abd. 1955), gosh bliss me (Sh. 1898 Shetland News (3 Dec.); e.Rs.1 1929; Bnff., Ags. 1955), gosh guide us (Sc. 1825 Jam.); gosh keep me (Ags.18 1955); gosh me (Ags., Slg., Bwk., Arg., Rxb. 1955); gude gosh (Ags., Rxb. 1955); also found in Cor. dial. Also goshie (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxvii.), gorsh, gooshtie-gosh (Mry. c.1920), goshen(s) (Ayr. 1811 W. Aiton Agric. Ayr. 692; Bnff.4, Ayr.4 1928), goshen be here (Abd.9 1920), goshins; goshtie (me) (Abd.27 1955). [′gɔʃ(te)]Rxb. 1847 J. Halliday Rustic Bard 163:
Aich wow! gude gosh! wha's aught the gab, That's gifted sae wi' words prophetic.Abd. 1874 A. Hislop Sc. Anecdotes 111:
“Gosh be here, laird!” said he, “I've seen the geese and the dyeucks hunners o' times crossin' there.”Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 122:
Gosh me! we couldna eat eggs for ever.Sc. 1895 F. A. Steel Red Rowans v.:
Gorsh! Miss Marjory, wass I no tellin' you he was bonnie?Abd. 1900 E.D.D.:
Goshins, laddie, ye'll mairtyr yersel eatin' sae muckle.Sc. 1912 J. H. Findlater Sc. Stories 254:
Gosh me! sic a pair o' ye!
