Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BOOT-HOSE, Beet Hose, n. “Coarse ribbed worsted hose, without feet, fixed by a flap under the buckle of the shoe, and covering the breeches at the knee, formerly worn instead of boots” (Sc. 1825 Jam.²).Sc. 1824 Scott St Ronan's W. xxxvi.:
His stout legs, accoutred . . . with the ancient defences, called boot-hose.Abd. 1857 J.D. in Bnffsh. Jnl. (15 Sept.) 6:
Auld lairds an' lords, an' chiels I see, An' men wi' lang beet hose.Lnk. 1865 J. Hamilton Poems 80:
His blue boot-hose [he] drew ower his knees.