Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1956
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SNOOIE, n., v. Also snuie and uncompounded form snu (Marw.). [snu(i), Ork. snøu]
I. n. A sudden jerk or toss of the head, esp. of a refractory cow, or as a sign of illtemper or disdain (Cai. 1928; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Cai. 1971).Cai. 1956:
'E coo gev a snooie an jerked hir horn too oot o ma han.
II. v. Of cattle: to toss the head as if displeased (Cai. 1907 J. Horne County Cai. 85, Cai. 1971).
[Dim. form from snu, Norw. dial. snu(a), turn, twist, O.N. snúðr, a turn, snúa, to twist.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Snooie n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 27 May 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snooie>
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