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.
Quotation dates: 1908-1934
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BILL, n.4 An eddy or streak of foam from an oar.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
A b[ill] fae ["from"] de ayre ["oar"]; pull of an oar, to tak' forward a b[ill], to row the boat an oar-stroke forward, to set op a b[ill], to pull a stroke (prop. to make an eddy, a streak of foam) with the oar.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
Bill, the bubble-like ebullition made by the stroke of an oar in the water, which appears after the oar is lifted.Sh.4 1934Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 90:
Weel, be da time 'at we wir comin' i' da hidmist bought o' da foort packie [set of lines] dey could hardly gie wis right settin', an' dey wir duin der best, a' bit staandin' ta der feet wi' ivery bill.
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"Bill n.4". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bill_n4>
