Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BACK-HALF, -HAUF, n. The worse or latter half of anything.Sc.(E) 1926 “H. M'Diarmid” Drunk Man . . . Thistle 34:
What forest worn to the backhauf's this, What Eden brocht doon to a beanswaup?Lnk. 1825 Jam.2; Ayr.4 1928:
Back-half. The worst half of anything. To be worn to the back-half, to be nearly worn out.