Quick links
proud
DCHP-2 (Jul 2016)
adj. — Newfoundland, obsolete
glad or delighted; often in the phrase proud to see you.
Type: 2. Preservation — The term proud 'pleased' is a preservation from British English as a result of 18th and 19th century immigration to Newfoundland from England and Ireland (Clarke 2010b: 7). The term is listed in both EDD (s.v. "proud" (3)) and OED-3 (s.v. "proud" (8b)) as 'pleased, gladdened, elated' and 'a stately or splendid person or thing', respectively, with attestations dating back to Old English.
In a discussion concerning the conservative nature of Newfoundland and Labrador English (Clarke 2010b: 104), the term proud is listed as an example of semantic retention. Clarke notes that "many lexical items in NLE have retained meanings that are largely archaic" (2010b: 104); correspondingly, OED-3 marks proud as an obsolete term (see OED-3, s.v. "proud" (8b)). Note that retention of this particular sense of proud is not restricted to Newfoundland English (Clarke 2010b: 104), as this is also used in certain regions of the US. DARE marks the term as "chiefly southern and south midland" (see DARE, s.v. "proud" (1a)).
See also DNE, s.v. "proud" (1).
In a discussion concerning the conservative nature of Newfoundland and Labrador English (Clarke 2010b: 104), the term proud is listed as an example of semantic retention. Clarke notes that "many lexical items in NLE have retained meanings that are largely archaic" (2010b: 104); correspondingly, OED-3 marks proud as an obsolete term (see OED-3, s.v. "proud" (8b)). Note that retention of this particular sense of proud is not restricted to Newfoundland English (Clarke 2010b: 104), as this is also used in certain regions of the US. DARE marks the term as "chiefly southern and south midland" (see DARE, s.v. "proud" (1a)).
See also DNE, s.v. "proud" (1).
Quotations
1858
[LOWELL] i, 159 'Ef 'ee'll plase to take me an' Izik,' said Jesse Hill, 'we'll be proud to go along wi' 'ee, sir.'
1903
The old man, referring to his card again, cried out, 'why, sir, you and me's neighbors, if I ain't mistaken.' Hastings assented. 'I shall be proud to see you, sir, at 'Artley 'All. My son the lieutenant 'll be home at Christmas-time; and my son Orris Sinjin, of Jesus, Cambridge, also. May we look to see you there? No fuss, no show, sir; but a very hearty welcome, I am sure.'
1909
GRENFELL167-8 'E said 'e was proud to see us comin' for un, and so 'e might, for it grew wonderfu' cold in th' day and th' sea so 'igh the pan could n' 'a' lived outside.
1920
The major bows, and insinuates an apology for his morning-dress - his unexceptionable frock-coat, etc., but Mr. Palmer waives the apology aside with blind humility. "Proud to see you at my mahogany in any dress, major," he said.
1938
"Agatha - I want you - I want you for my wife - you must marry me - promise now before we go in; it would be such a glad surprise for your father; he would be proud to see you my wife. I could give you rich dresses, jewels that would make you look like a queen, you ------" But before he had got any further, the girl, grasping and frightened, tried to draw her hands away, crying out [...]
1954
T 54/63-64 An' after a week there was nothing at all about him. They were just proud he was gone, his people.
1987
KING (ed) 129 "Gramma's Lullaby": One day Bill Samson said to she,/'Oi'm livin all alone,/'Oi'd be some proud to offer you,/'A dwelling of your own.'
References
- DNE
- EDD
- OED-3
- DARE
- Clarke (2010b)