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ca canny. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ca canny, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
ca canny in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Scots ca canny.
Verb
ca canny
- (Scotland) To go carefully or slowly; to take care.
1922, Apsley Cherry-Garrard, The Worst Journey in the World:[…] the inevitable result was that the willing horses were overworked. It was a point of honour not to ca’ canny.
1995, Alan Warner, Morvern Callar, Vintage, published 2015, page 79:I walked away from the fire and tore up green bracken, caw-cannying not to slash my fingers on stalks.
Noun
ca canny (uncountable)
- Alternative form of ca' canny
Scots
Alternative forms
Etymology
From ca (“call; drive”) + canny (“gentle”).
Pronunciation
Verb
ca canny
- to drive gently; (hence), to go easy, to be careful
1836, Michael Scott, The Cruise of the Midge:‘Ca' canny, man,’ said he, as I approached — ‘Ca' canny, Saunders — dinna rive folk alang the road to heaven at that rate, man.’- ‘Take it easy, man,‘ said he, as I approached — ‘Take it easy, Saunders — don't drag people along the road to heaven at that rate, man.‘
1868, Alexander Hislop, The Proverbs of Scotland:Ca' canny and flee laigh. Ca' canny and ye'll break nae graith.- Be careful and fly low. Be careful and you'll break no gear.
2008, James Kelman, Kieron Smith, Boy, Penguin, published 2009, page 390:Some were real fighters and ye could spot them a mile away, so then ye had to caw canny. Ye just caw canny.- Some where real fighters and you could spot them a mile away, so then you had to take care. You just take care.