Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WO, int. Also ¶woo (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb i.), ¶woy (Bwk. 1809 R. Kerr Agric. Bwk. 503), ¶woe-y (Lth. 1829 G. Robertson Recoll. 163). Sc. forms and usages of Eng. wo(y), a call to a horse to stop. Sc. combs.: 1. wo-back, as in Eng. dial., a call to stop, also in Sc. a call to back (Ayr. 1930: Ork., n.Sc., Per. 1974). Also in Eng. dial.: to turn right (Per., Fif. 1974); 2. wo-hie, a call to turn left (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Cai., Per. 1974). Also in n.Eng. dial. See Hi; 3. wo-hup, a call to turn right (lb.). Also in n.Eng. dial. See Hup.1. Lnk. 1853 W. Watson Poems 25:
Hap, wyne, wo back, or step awa.Fif. 1894 D. S. Meldrum Margrédel ix.:
‘Wo-back, ye jade!' he cried, seizing the reins.