Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CLOCKER, n.1 A brood hen. Gen.Sc. [′klɔkər]Sc. 1825 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 25:
Let the hens aye set theirsels; and never offer to tak ony notice o' the clockers.w.Dmf. 1910 J. L. Waugh Cracks wi' Robbie Doo i.:
Sae muckle time did he spend wi' his hens, and sae engrossed was he wi' them that he got to hae the look o' an auld clocker.Dmf. 1997 Nell Thomson Spit the First Sook 7:
Afterwards mother set to renewing the poultry stocks. Two settings of eggs were bought when there were two good clockers, 'broodie hens', to sit tight upon a clutch.
