Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

BACK-JAW, n., v. [′bɑk′dʒɑ:, ′bɑk′dʒǫ: See P.L.D. §§ 85, 93.]

1. n. Impudence; abusive language.Bnff.² 1932:
Get on wi' yer wark, an' nae mair o' yer back-jaw.Abd.² 1932:
Nae ae ither wird o' yer back-jaw, or I'll gie ye a gweed creeshin'.Lnk.¹ 1932:
“Nane o' your backjaw, na!” (said by a mother to a child who “spoke back”).

2. v. To use abusive language (towards); to wrangle.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D.Bnff. 9:
The twa back-jawt ane anither till a' wiz daivt wee thir ill tungs.Lnk.¹ 1932:
I'll ca' the heid aff ye, gin ye daur to backjaw me.”