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.
†BRAG AND PAIRS, n.phr. “A rustic game at cards” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 88).
[Prob. the same as brag, an old English game of cards, possibly the ancestor of poker. When a player held a “pair” or “pair-royal” (three cards of the same rank) in his hand, he threw out a “brag” or challenge to the other players to turn up a “pair” equal in value to his. See brag, s.v. Bragge, n. (1).]
