Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡QUO, v. Also co, ko (Sh.); quod (Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 188), quot' (Sc. 1894 Stevenson Catriona ii.). Sc. variant and reduced forms of arch. and dial. Eng. quoth, said, pa.t. of †quethe, to say, speak. [k(w)o]Sc. 1720 A. Pennecuik Helicon 83:
Waes me, quo the King, it seems he's been a Thief.Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 39:
Hech hay, co' she.Ayr. 1786 Burns Holy Fair iv.:
Quo' she, an' laughin as she spak.Sc. 1819 Scott Bride of Lamm. xxv.:
Have I heard, quo' she!Sc. 1896 Stevenson W. of Hermiston v.:
Spinning them oot with endless “quo' he's” and “quo's she's.”Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 39:
“I'll heuk awa mesel',” co Cuttie.Ags. 1924 A. Gray Any Man's Life 49:
She quo', quo' she.Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 15:
“Teedisome brae,” quo A.ne.Sc. 1981 Ken Morrice For All I Know 45:
'Hist!' quo the tattiebogle
as I daunert bye,
a froon upon his neep heid,
tear-drap in his eye. m.Sc. 1996 John Murray Aspen 6:
Quo he,
Ah kent his fither,
the laddie wis aye tae follie
ahint the fither,