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.
BARNS-BREAKIN(G), n. An idle frolic; any mischievous action. [′bɑrnz′brekɪn]Sc. 1822 Scott F. Nigel iii.:
As for barns-breaking the deil a thing's broken but my head.Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
Barns-breaking. Any mischievous or injurious action; in allusion to the act of breaking up a barn for carrying off corn.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto Tammas Bodkin (1868) viii.:
Nae that few barns breakin' hae I been at i' my life-time.Fif. 1895 “S. Tytler” Kincaid's Widow xvii.:
I tell you he's been at some barn's-breaking ower nicht to mak' him sae sweer to rise.
