Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

BILF, BULF, n.²

1. Something large and clumsy.Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St Patrick III. xi. 265:
Nursin' thae muckle bilfs o' kytes o' yours, it's gude for nae gear I can see.

2. Applied to a growing, sturdy, young, fellow.Bnff.⁴ 1933:
Fat a bilf ye've growin sin I saw you last.Abd.⁹ 1934:
He's growan' a big fat bulf.

Hence bulfie.Ags.¹ 1934:
A stout, podgy person was called a bulfie.