Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

BROLACH, n.

1. “Mess, failure” (Cai.⁸ 1934), “confusion, ruin” (Bnff.⁸ c.1920).

2. Rubbish, useless bric-a-brac.Bnff.¹⁴ (Tomintoul and Glenlivet) 1935:
A woman is buying up cheap lots at a roup and her man comes up saying “Noo, noo, what d'ye wint wi' a' that brolach?”

3. An old, weakly or effete person. Obsol. in Ags. (Ags.¹ 1936).Bnff.¹⁴ 1935:
Fa could lippen yon aul brolach wi' a pair o' horses? .Ags.(D) 1894 Brechin Advertiser (28 Aug.) 3/5:
This auld brolach has nae doot but fat he was the progenitor o' the Erskines o' Dun.