Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1934, 1993-2005
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BUSTER, n. "A dish of potato chips and hot peas. The stalls at which they are sold are called 'buster stalls.' Still seen in Green Market in Dundee" (Ags.1 1935; Edb., Dmf. 2000s).Sc. 1995 Sunday Times 2 Apr :
Mushy peas marrowfat peas cooked with bicarbonate of soda and salt are served on the side. In Dundee, "buster peas" (cooked, dried peas) are sprinkled with malt vinegar and sold with chips as "big peas and lang tatties". Sc. 1996 Scotland on Sunday 14 Apr 3:
Generations of Dundonians have enjoyed the delights of a buster - chips and hot peas - a combination said to have been invented by the descendants of Belgian immigrant Edward de Gernier. Sc. 2003 Daily Record 11 Jan 6/7:
Chips were an instant hit in Scotland when they were introduced by a Belgian named Edward De Geniers, who sold them in Dundee's Greenmarket over 100 years ago. A typical combo of the day was "the buster" - chips and peas smothered in vinegar - so called because of its flatulence-producing properties. Sc. 2004 www.firstfoot.com :
Buster - Mibee this wis jist local tae Perth. In the middle forties, Watson's Fish & Chips sold a buster. It wis a wee poke ow chips we peas ahnd cost a thripny bit.
Gie's a buster afore ah bust yerr. Ags. 1934 G. M. Martin Dundee Worthies 163:
A feed of roasted "tatties" or a "buster" of hot peas was relished then as much as the "fancy" cakes and coffee in the present palatial tea-rooms.Dundee 2005:
In the old days they sold busters (hot peas and vinegar) in the Dundee Green Market.Rnf. 1993 History on your Doorstep, The Reminiscences of the Ferguslie Elderly Forum 32:
You used to get a fish supper for 3d or a Usual for 2d - a wee fish and you could get a Buster before you went to the theatre, it was peas and chips.
