Does Anyone Know what a Lucy is?

[LesleyB]

Hi Alan

A little bit later: Was the old style handwritten 'Q' like a '2'? I can't remember.

I think you may have a good point there - certainly worth considering "Quey" as I have seen some pretty odd looking letter Qs now I think about it.

Best wishes
Lesley

[Headley]

Thanks again all.

I have tried to scan the page in question but the quality isn't great in the first place and it only gets worse!

My feeling has always been that this was probably a cow of some description and I think the Quey is the answer. Whilst the 'Q' doesn't look right (yes it does look like a 2 Allan, which is why I thought it was a capital L) what I am reading as a 'c' could easily be an 'e'. I'm sure you've answered my question.

Cheers

[Montrose Budie]

From Warrack's "The Scots Dialect Dictionary", pub. Waverley Books, New Lanark, 2000.

"Quey or Queyag, a heifer until she has had a calf"

The old style "Q" and "2 or old style L" is a common confusion, as is "e" and "c".

mb