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.
†BEGGAR'S BED, n. “The bed which in farm and country houses was allotted to beggars; it was generally made up in the barn” (Sc. 1887 Jam.6; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 60).Sc. 1776 Jolly Beggar in D. Herd Sc. Songs II. 27:
The beggar's bed was made at e'en wi' good clean straw and hay, And in ahint the ha' door, and there the beggar lay.
