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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.

BARFLOG, v. intr. (See quot.)Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Barflog, to beat one's hands crosswise around the shoulders to keep oneself warm, “to stand barflogin.” [Known to Sh.4]

[Derived by Jak. from O.N. berja, to beat (Sc. Berry), and flōki, something tangled. In Fetlar and Yell there is a phrase with the same sense “beat de floga” which seems to confirm his derivation.]

1847

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