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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BLACK YARN, n. A fruitless fishing trip.Bnff.2 1928:
“Ony luck th' day?” “No' nithing bit black yarn a' this week.”

[When there is a good shot of herring the nets, as they are being hauled, are glittering with the scales. When there are no fish, nothing appears as the nets break the surface of the water but “black yarn.”]

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