Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BOSSIE, BOSSY, n.1 A large wooden bowl, or basin. Cf. Bassie, n.2 [′bɔsɪ̢]Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 15; Bnff.2 1935:
Bossie, a wooden dish commonly used, in baking oaten cakes, for mixing the meal with water and making the leaven.Abd.(D) 1867 Mrs Allardyce Goodwife at Home xxxvii.; Abd.2 1935:
She'll jist be cryin oot for mair, There's nae en' to their greed; Bat set the bossy back again, Upon the bowie heed.
Phr.: “to bake oneself oot o' the bossie, to work in a slovenly manner” (Bnff.8 c.1920).
