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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HONEST, adj. Sc. usages, mostly obsol.:

1. Esp. as an epithet of approbation or regard: worthy, good, estimable. Gen.Sc.Sc. 1722 J. Monro 50 Religious Letters 91:
Mind my Love to all the honest Folks about you.Sc. 1773 Boswell Hebrides (1785) 326:
As we were going, the Scottish phrase of “honest man!” which is an expression of kindness and regard, was often applied by the company to Dr Johnson.Ayr. 1786 Burns To J. Smith vii.:
I red you, honest man, tak tent! Ye'll shaw your folly.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality vii.:
The foul fa' ye, that I suld say sae, for a lang-tongued wife, as my father, honest man, aye ca'd ye!Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch (1839) ix.:
I had no mind of asking down James Batter, the weaver, honest man, though he was one of our own elders.Abd. 1879 G. Macdonald Sir Gibbie xvi.:
To gie me a helpin' han' for's mither's sake, honest wuman!

Combs.: Honest Lad, — Lass, the leading participants in an annual riding festival at Musselburgh; Honest Toun, a soubriquet for the town of Musselburgh, the motto of which is “Honestas”.Lth. 1775 Caled. Mercury (7 Aug.):
On Saturday last, the Silver Arrow belonging to the honest town of Musselburgh, was shot for by the Royal Company of Scots Archers.Lth. 1850 J. Bridges Capabilities Musselburgh:
“The Honest Toun” lies in the angle of the beautiful bay of the Firth of Forth.m.Lth. 1937 Scotsman (19 July):
The second annual festival of the Honest Toun's Association at Musselburgh was carried through on Saturday in brilliant sunshine. Not only did the burgh turn out in thousands to welcome the Honest Lad and Lass . . . but large crowds of visitors and holidaymakers were also attracted. In an opening parade the Honest Lad and Lass had the support of over 100 riders.

2. Of actions, etc.: kind, courteous. Cf. Honesty, 1.Sc. 1773 Boswell Hebrides (1936) 297:
When his [McSweyn's] son told that he saw Mr Johnson with his handkerchief tied on his head, bringing peats to himself on a stormy night, the old man said that was main honest.

3. Comb. and Phr.: (1) honest folk, a couple, gen. married, who acted as the chief attendants on the bridal pair at a wedding in Sh. and Ork.; (2) honest-like, of persons or their dress or appearance: decent, respectable, comely, “a good sort (of)”; of things: substantial, of respectable appearance (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Abd. 1825 Jam.). Gen.(exc. I.)Sc.; (3) to come to the honest hour, to be on the point of death.(1) Sh. a.1900:
In the wedding procession a gunner firing shots comes first, closely followed by a fiddler playing a lively tune. Then comes bride and groom followed by best man and best maid, Honest Man and Honest Wife, and other couples. Customs include the breaking of the bride's bonn, the traditional blessing; the Honest Folk ready to fill the "buggies" of the poor and bairns (see below); the bride's reel. Ork. 1964 J. & T. Flett Trad. Dancing 57:
"Honest folk" . . . The last were a married couple, usually related to the bride; at the actual wedding ceremony they accompanied the bridal couple, the honest woman playing much the same role as a Matron of Honour today, and the honest man attending the bridegroom in a similar manner.(2) Sc. 1701 J. Brand Descr. Sh. 67:
The Bowrs [boors], Fishers, and other Country People also do go honest-like . . . in their Apparel, as becometh their station.Sc. 1798 Monthly Mag. (Dec.) 435:
Honest-like, has in some cases the same meaning with purposelike — it generally . . . implies something of fullness — thus, an honest-like man, means a jolly man, and an honest-like piece of beef, is a good substantial joint.Rnf. 1807 R. Tannahill Poems 20:
That, honest-like, we might set aff our bairn.Sc. 1814 C. I. Johnstone Saxon and Gael II. 34:
He's a sonsy, furthy, honest-like lad.(3) Rnf. 1873 D. Gilmour Pen' Folk 12:
I tauld him . . . that he had come to the honest hour, and that . . . it behooved him to make confession.