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.

BUTTERMILK, n. In phr. and comb.

1. Phr.: buttermilk-an-meal, “a bowl of buttermilk with a generous spread of oatmeal on the top” (Abd.⁴ 1931). Also known to Bnff.², Abd.¹⁹ 1937.

†2. Comb.: buttermilk gled (see quot.). Phs. the hen-harrier, Circus cyaneus.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 104:
A bird of the falcon tribe; it is of a cream colour, of the size of the common kite. . . . No burd o' prey gives a clocken hen a greater glocken than the buttermilk gled.