The word 'randies' in The Roving Navvy

Subject: The word 'randies' in The Roving Navvy
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Jun 25 - 06:42 AM

I asked the question in the old thread on The Roving Navvy but as there is no response, I think it may be better in a seperate thread

I sing this song but have always had a question about the line "I've had my share of randies, you can tell that by my scars". Randy, in my experience refers to feeling, errrr, aroused. I have looked it up and another definition is a crude or course person and, in Scotland, being rude or aggressive. Seems to have the same base as rant. From the Dutch "randen", to rant. In this context do you think it could be disagreements or fights? Blowed if I know!

Subject: RE: The word 'randies' in The Roving Navvy
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jun 25 - 06:51 AM

FWIW 'randen' is not commonly used in Dutch with that meaning. The dictionary one gives one use as 'making a racket' in so.e dialects in the South of the country. But in all fairness I have never come across it 'in real life' or literature

Subject: RE: The word 'randies' in The Roving Navvy
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 06 Jun 25 - 10:45 AM

"Randies" : fights, from the context. From the Scots Dialect Dictionary: ran-dan: (1) a carouse (2) a boys' holiday without leave (3) violence

(cf Three Day Millionaire by Mike Waterson: "the money comes in handy for the old ran-tan").

Subject: RE: The word 'randies' in The Roving Navvy
From: Rumncoke
Date: 06 Jun 25 - 11:28 AM

Somewhere in my reading history there is a mother of boys who are doing that boys' thing of shouting fighting knocking over tables and each other and she shouts 'will you stop that randen' - she was at the time reddin up the kitchen which I assume would be the opposite of the randen.