Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A Scotch form of mother.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb intransitive, Northern England To make an unnecessary fuss, moan, bother.
  • verb transitive To pester or irritate someone. Usually directed at children.
  • noun Scotland and Northern England mother

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Late 17th century, unknown origin, possibly Welsh moedrodd to worry or bother. Possible alternative from the Welsh meidda ("to beg for whey") or perhaps meiddio ("to dare or venture"). Bear in mind that the "dd" in Welsh corresponds in sound to the "th" in mither, and English also has moider and moither.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Late variant of Old English mōdor.

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Examples

  • His father had flown frae London to Glasgow, and his mither was a flier too.

    A Dominie in Doubt Alexander Sutherland Neill 1928

  • I laughed out loud when I read a piece on the Daily Telegraph's website which earnestly explained the meaning of "mither" for the sake of their southern readers who had never before enountered the word. piece was entitled "Steven Gerrard trial: what does 'mither' mean?"

    Manchester Evening News Blogs 2009

  • He was worried to find his boots lying at the cabin door. the children playing on the woodpile told him that "mither" said they were so heavy she couldn't walk in them, and she had come back and taken them off.

    Freckles 1904

  • He was worried to find his boots lying at the cabin door; the children playing on the woodpile told him that "mither" said they were so heavy she couldn't walk in them, and she had come back and taken them off.

    Freckles Gene Stratton-Porter 1893

  • "It's ower dark noo tae read it, an 'mither' ill sune be comin '."

    Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush Ian Maclaren 1878

  • "It's ower dark noo tae read it, an 'mither' ill sune be comin."

    A Doctor of the Old School — Volume 4 Ian Maclaren 1878

  • "It's ower dark noo tae read it, an 'mither' ill sune be comin."

    A Doctor of the Old School — Complete Ian Maclaren 1878

  • 'Just as I told ye, Miss M'Crimman,' he said; 'mither's a ma_rrr_vel!'

    Our Home in the Silver West A Story of Struggle and Adventure Gordon Stables 1875

  • Steve nodded, and was turning away, when his eyes encountered those of the boy, who had evidently forgotten all about his "mither," and was grinning at him derisively, and in a way which made Steve's fingers tingle to tighten up into a fist and teach the lad a lesson.

    Steve Young George Manville Fenn 1870

  • Steve did not hear what Watty's "mither" had said, for the cook made a rush at him, caught him by the scruff of the neck, and ran him into the galley, closely followed by Skene-dhu, the dog, snapping and barking at their heels in a way which hastened Watty's pace and stopped all resistance.

    Steve Young George Manville Fenn 1870

Comments

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  • luv ya mom

    December 30, 2006