Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1785-1798, 1934
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BLACK COAT, n. “A clergyman” (Bnff.2 1912; Fif. 1957). Cf. Black Breeks, n., 1. Also used as in second quot.; cf. Uppstander, used for a minister by Sh. fishermen at sea. Elg. 1849 A. Blackhall Lays of the North 44: How would a reverend black-coat rave, . . . Should any poor, unhallowed wight, . . . Forsake allegiance, spurn an oath.e.Sc. 1934 (per Lnk.7):
Fishermen along the East coast when at sea have a dread of using the word minister, and always refer to him as the man with the black coat.Edb. 1798 D. Crawford Poems 115:
I ne'er could hear the black coats tell About the gate to heav'n or hell.Ayr. 1785 Burns To J. Goldie i.:
O Gowdie, terror o' the whigs, Dread o' blackcoats and reverend wigs!
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"Black Coat n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/black_coat>
