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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BAIT, BET, BAITIK, n.5 Seed potato. Shortened from taatie-bait. [bet, beət]Sh.(D) 1899 Sh. News (29 April) (E.D.D. Suppl.):
Shü filt her lap wi' baits. Shü was drappin' ta Bawby. Shü birzed doon a baitik 'at wis geen twartleens [crosswise] i' da hol', wi' da dimplin'-tree [dibble].Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Taatibet, seed potatoes.

[O.N. beit, beiti, grazing; lit. something to bite, to eat, hence food, then specialised to potato.]

1559

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