Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BACKAGRUF, BAKKAGROF, BACK O' GRØF, n. The face of peat at the bottom of a “peat-bank.” Hence also the peat pit. [′bɑkə-′grøf]Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.:
Backagruf, a ridge at the bottom of a “peat-bank” formed by the surface of the peat-moss, which is pared off and thrown on the bottom of the ditch before the peats are dug out.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Bakkagrof, bakkagrøf, peat-pit below the so-called “(peat-)bank” or ledge where the peats are cut; a hollow into which the uppermost turf of the peat-bank is thrown before the actual peat-cutting begins.Sh.4 1932:
The pit is the groef, and back o' grøf is the face of peat.
