Dictionary

yaud en · NOUN

Etymology

From Middle English yald, ȝald. Originally used to mean "mare", then "old mare". From Old Norse jalda (“mare”), from a Uralic language, such as Moksha эльде (elde) or Erzya эльде (elde). This term influenced and was influenced by jade, but is considered etymologically distinct by some references, while others consider the two terms to be variants of one another.

Meanings

1. (Northern-England, Scotland) A workhorse; an old or worn-out mare.
   • […]he threw it overboard, subjecting it to a spell, that it never should be removed save by the co-operation of "Two twin yauds, two twin oxen, two twin lads, and a chain forged by a smith of kind." 1846, Moses Aaron Richardson, The Local Historian's Table Book, of Remarkable Occurrences, page 106:
   • "[…]Get on, my fine yaud, get on! There is nothing uncanny there." Robin coaxed thus, as well to keep up his own spirits, as to encourage his mare; for the truth is, that his hair began to stand on end with affright. a. 1835, “Seeking the Houdy”, in The Collected Works of James Hogg: Contributions to Annuals and Gift-books, James Hogg, published 2006, page 60:
   • "[…]Nay by my faith, if you be so heavy, I will content me with the best of you, and that's the haunch and the nombles, and e'en heave up the rest on the old oak-tree yonder, and come for it with one of the yauds." 1814, Walter Scott, Waverley, Or 'tis Sixty Years Since, volume 2, published 1821, page 98:
2. (Northern-England, Scotland) A slovenly woman.

Forms

Synonyms

jade (old horse)