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.
†BULLING-SILLER, n. Money given for the use of a stud-bull. Used fig. in quot.n.Sc. c.1730 E. Burt Letters North Scot. (1754) I. 236–237:
There are Sets of Fellows . . . who . . . when they see two Persons of different Sexes walk out to take the Air . . . dog them about from Place to Place. . . . And if they happen to see any Kind of Freedom between them, or perhaps none at all, they march up to them and demand the Bulling-siller (alluding to the Money usually given for the Use of a Bull).
