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.
Quotation dates: 1781-1809, 1909
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CHOWS, n.pl. “A particular kind of coal, smaller than the common kind, much used in forges” (Sc. 1808 Jam.); “nuts” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Known to Ork.1, Fif.10, Slg.3, Lnk.3, Kcb.9 1940. Given also for Nhb. and as obs. in E.D.D. Cf. Chews. [tʃʌuz]Sc. 1781 Caled. Mercury (24 Nov.):
Smithy coal, Great coal, Chows, and Culm.Mearns 1809 G. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Kcd. 42:
It [lime-burning] is done principally with chows, or small coal.Fif. 1909 Colville 135:
Thrift prescribed a big gatherin' coal backed by chows.em.Sc. 1909 J. Black Melodies and Memories 17:
Bring forrit, my lassie, a baikie o' coals . . . A gude wheen o' peats an' a hantle o' chows, While I'm birrin' awa' at my wheel.Lnl. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 I. 98:
The chows, or smaller coal, at 2s. 9d.
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"Chows n. pl.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/chows>
