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.
BOTTOMLESS BREEKS, n.pl. A humorous name for a kilt.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality xxxvii.:
Ou, the country's weel eneugh, an it werena that dour deevil, Claver'se . . . that's stirring about yet in the Highlands, they say, wi' a' the Donalds and Duncans and Dugalds that ever wore bottomless breeks.Sc. 1824 J. Wilson in Blackw. Mag. XVI. 599:
Than go back again to the beggarly North, To herd 'mong loons with bottomless breeks.
