sawney

plural sawneys

1. countableA fool, an idiot.
2. UKobsoleteuncountablethieves' cantBacon.

   If a boy comes to the house on a night without money or sawney, or something to sell to the lodgers, a handkerchief or something of that kind, he is not admitted, but told very plainly, ‘Go thieve it, then.’

   1851, Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor, published 1861

   2 more examples

   Tyrrell, another boy, confirmed their testimony, and said, on one occasion, when they had stolen a heart, liver, and lights, the prisoner said, "go out, one or two of you, and see if you can get a bit of sawney!" (meaning a bit of bacon).

   1820, John Bull, volumes 1-2, page 363

   A man came in as she spoke, and drawing a large piece of bacon from his pocket, flung it down upon the counter. 'How much d'ye want for it?' said the lodging-house keeper, weighing it with his eyes. 'Sixpence.' 'Sixpence for a bit of sawney! (thieved bacon). We can't give more than fourpence in this shop, my buffer.'

   1861, The old Roman well, volume 1, page 62

comparative more sawney · superlative most sawney

1. foolish, stupid

alternative Sawny

1. A diminutive of the male given name Alexander, of Scots origin.

   Sawney Bean

   1 more example

   But Sawney grew weary, and fain would be civil, / Being auld, and unfeary, and fail'd of his strength

   1812, John Bell, Rhymes of Northern Bards, page 185

plural Sawneys · alternative Sawny

1. archaicderogatoryA Scotsman.

   “They can live upon barley-meal without a morsel of meat from week-end to week-end, can these miserable Sawnies,” quoth another.

   1874 July–December, W. Senior, “With the Herring Fleet”, in The Gentleman's Magazine, page 704

   1 more example

   He took the gibe and scowled at me--he spoke always like a Sawney, and could never pass for English; but in his pleasure at the discovery he had made he let the word pass.

   1897, Stanley John Weyman, chapter XIV, in Shrewsbury