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.

YARTA, n. Also (h)jarta, jarto, iarto. A term of endearment or friendship, ‘my dear' (Sh. 1825 Jam., 1866 Edm. Gl., iarto, 1914 Angus Gl., hjarta, Sh. 1974). Also attrib.Sc. 1821 Scott Pirate xxvii., xxx.:
“Take heed, jarto,” as Minna dropped her bridle. . . . “You forget, Jarto Claud.”Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Kwar is du gaun, jarta. Stand at dee, jarta.