The trait of someone who has been mistreated yet, due to weakness of character, does not defend themselves. Used in Nova Scotia, likely from Gaelic origins.
As an adjective sawny/sawney/sauny/saunie is also a British term meaning stupid, silly, especially naïvely or sentimentally foolish.
As a noun, sawney or sawny is a British term for a fool, simpleton or idiot, one easily deceived.
As a name, Sawney is a diminutive of the Scottish male given name Alexander (similar to Sandy, from the last two syllables and meaning "defender of mankind") and also an obsolete and derogatory English nickname for a Scotsman, while Saunie is an English surname.
As an adjective sawny/sawney/sauny/saunie is also a British term meaning stupid, silly, especially naïvely or sentimentally foolish.
As a noun, sawney or sawny is a British term for a fool, simpleton or idiot, one easily deceived.
As a name, Sawney is a diminutive of the Scottish male given name Alexander (similar to Sandy, from the last two syllables and meaning "defender of mankind") and also an obsolete and derogatory English nickname for a Scotsman, while Saunie is an English surname.
"Don't be so sauny!"
by Blue88 July 25, 2022