Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A midwife. Also
houdie .
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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I said "howdie" in one scene and then they shot me in the other scene.
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If our old servants are still with you, say "howdie" to them for me.
Old times in Dixie land : a southern matron's memories, 1901
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If I had known I woulda said howdie and thanks for the great reporting.
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Glossary: sheelicks: husked grain riddle: sieve ben: in helster-howdie: from "heels ower gowdie"; head-over-heels teuchit: lapwing tint: lost barra-shaft: handle of a wheelbarrow chiel: man min't: reminded hurled: driven, carried, hauled marra: equal
Sheelicks 1996
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She fell helster-howdie ower a pig, for there she never lookit;
Sheelicks 1996
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Old Granny Frame, the "howdie-wife" of the village, always declared that he would be a great man, but others just took it for granted that he would never see things as they saw them.
The Underworld The Story of Robert Sinclair, Miner James C. Welsh
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Horn, 'at they'll tak frae nane ither, for your temper's weel kent, an' little made o '; but it's an ill faured thing to anger the howdie
Malcolm George MacDonald 1864
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"There's naebody near, daddy -- naebody but the howdie wife."
Malcolm George MacDonald 1864
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I was bewildered -- the light in the room made my een reel; but I soon came to myself, when I saw a man and Mrs. Kemp the howdie busy rowing something in flannel.
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume XXIII Alexander Leighton 1837
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There's mirth among the kin when the howdie cries "A son."
The Proverbs of Scotland Alexander Hislop 1836
ruzuzu commented on the word howdie
"A midwife. Also houdie."
--Century Dictionary
January 25, 2011