Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
CHOFFER, n. Also chauffer, chaffer.
1. A portable grate or stove used in a corn-kiln, as a heater, etc. Bnff. 1902 J. Grant Agric. in Bnffsh. 150 Years Ago 17:
The kiln was a simple enough construction. It had an open choffer or fire called the kilnlogie.Fif. 1865 St Andrews Gaz. (21 Oct.):
Mr Purvis towards evening sent off for a cart with tar and tar barrels and parrot coal, choffers, &c, &c.Edb. 1738 Caled. Mercury (14 Nov.):
A Choffer burning with small Coal raised such a prodigious Smoke as alarmed the whole Neighbours, who breaking in found the amorous Couple quite suffocated.Bwk. c.1910 W. Cuthbertson Dykeside Folk 63:
We fand an auld pail an' dung holes in it ser'd for a chauffer wi' a chimlay made oot o' an iron pipe.
2. As used in a baker's oven (see quots.). Sc. 1903 Confectionery & Baking Craft (March 1947) 119:
A "chaffer" is the part of a Scotch oven in which the fuel is burnt.Sc. 1927 J. Kirkland Bakers' ABC 50:
The technical name of a movable cast-iron fire grate, used in the old type of Scotch oven. This grate was half-moon shaped. The chaffer was pushed into the corner of the oven at the right or left hand of the door.
3. A chafing-dish (Abd. 1773 Weekly Mag. (7 Jan.) 40). See also Tea, n., (6).
[Fr. chauffer, to warm, heat. O.Sc. has choffer from 1596, but only in sense of a chafing dish or pan (D.O.S.T.).]
