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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HO, n. Also hoy. Found only in phr. nae (idder, ither) ho(y) but, no (other) choice, no hope but (Abd. 1957).Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 17:
An' there's nae ho, but now I maun be his.
Abd. 1880 G. Webster Crim. Officer 31:
I hed nae ho but serve a criminal libel on Moir an' 's wife.
Abd. 1952 Buchan Observer (13 May):
I see nae idder hoy for't but tae get redd o' the wife!

[Orig. due to assimilation of the consonants in hope but into hobbut [′hobbət > ′hobət] with later wrong division as ho but.]

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