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). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CARPET, n. Meanings not in use in St.Eng.

1. In pl. carpets, bedroom slippers made of thick carpet-like fabric (Bnff.², Abd.⁹, Ags.¹ 1938). Cf. Eng. carpet slippers.Abd. 1932 D. Campbell Bamboozled 35:
Hiv ye brocht yer carpets wi' ye, auntie?

2. In phrases: (1) gae aff the carpet, to go beyond the limits of propriety (Edb.¹ 1938); (2) get aff the carpet, “to get married”(Ags.¹, Ags.¹⁷ 1938).(1) Edb. 1895 J. Tweeddale Moff 122:
Did ye hear ocht of Wullie Fairlie and Maggie Smith gaun aff the carpet?

3. Sc. usages in combs. carpet-bowl(ing), in reference to a form of bowls played indoors on a carpet smoothed to simulate a green, a variety of Alley-bowls (see quot.). Sc. 1909 Handbook Sc. Carpet Bowling Ass. 16-18: 
It is highly probable that it was only in the Southern Counties adjoining the Border that its practice was prevalent, and it must be assumed that it was at this period that strips of carpet were laid on the floor to give it a level pitch, which gradually led to the adoption of the name Carpet Bowling. But still there is no doubt that it was the old English game Alley Bowling, and if proof were wanting, it is found in the fact that the game was always played with a jack. As a parlour game it may have existed in Scotland perhaps two hundred years, and we have distinct knowledge of its existence over 100 years ago. . . . The short distance of the pitch, or carpet, on which it was always played, and from which the Scottish name of carpet bowling is derived. . . . It was not, however, till 1854 that we can find any trace of a club coming into existence for the sole purpose of the public practice of carpet bowls.