nignay
English
[edit]Alternative forms
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Uncertain; perhaps compare knick-knack.
Noun
[edit]nignay (plural nignays)
- (Scotland, Ireland) Something trivial or worthless. [from 17th c.]
- 1789, John Moore, Zeluco, Valancourt, published 2008, page 270:
- And if you were only to see the sums which those thoughtless young lads, who have ten times more money than wit to guide it, throw away on useless nigg-nyes, while thousands around them are pinched for the necessaries of life, it would make the very hair of your head, my dear Archy, stand up like the locks of Medusa.
- 1884, James Nicholson, Willie Waugh:
- He had a lot o' curious auld nig-nayes.