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.
†BITCH, n.2, in phrases (1) to give the bitch to clip, to cheat the landlord of his rent; (2) to get the bitch in the wheel band (see quot.).(1) Abd. 1826 D. Anderson Poems 9:
They aften hae a moonlight flittin' ta'en, And thus the bitch to clip your bits o' knabry gi'en.[Cf. bitch, v., and make a bitch of, both = spoil in Eng. dial. (see E.D.D.).](2) Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 366:
You have got the Bitch in the Wheel Band. That is, you have got a thing that you cannot keep long. Lat. — Agninis lactibus alligas canem [lit. you bind a dog with a lamb's entrails].
