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.
BARROWSTEEL, n.
1. lit. “The shaft of a wheelbarrow” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 49).
2. fig. Equal co-operation, drawing well together.Sc.(E) 1926 “H. M'Diarmid” A Drunk Man . . . Thistle 17:
And, tho' I'm drunk, for Scotland's sake I tak' my barrowsteel here!Rxb. 1825 Jam.2:
Barrowsteel. A term used in regard to equal co-operation. When man and wife draw well together, each is said to keep up his or her ain barrowsteel.
