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.
BEVERAGE, BAIVERAGE, BEVERI(D)GE, n. and v. [′bɛvərɪdʒ]
1. n. A fine in the form of money or drink demanded of anyone wearing a new suit or article of clothing. It is now most commonly used of the kiss taken from a girl by her friend or friends or given by her on the occasion of her wearing something new. Mostly in the phrases give, get, have, take the beverage.Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
She gg at the beverage o' his braw new coat.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 64:
When a young girl gets any piece of new dress, she slyly shows it to her Joe, who gives her a kiss, which is taking the beverage of the article in question.Gall.(D) 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 49:
C'wa in oot o' sicht till A kiss ye! A maun hae the beverige o' thae new claes!Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn. 4:
When a young woman appears wearing something new for the first time, she gives her acquaintances the “baiverage of it,” this is a kiss.
2. v. To handsel.Ayr. 1892 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage, etc., and Poems 332:
We'll beveridge the bower I've buskit for my Jeany.
