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.
Quotation dates: 1825, 1917, 1988
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CLUFF, CLIFF, n.1 and v.1 Also found in n.Eng. dial. (E.D.D.). [klʌf, klɪf]
1. n. A cuff or slap (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., cluff), “a stroke with the open hand” (Edb. 1898 J. Baillie Walter Crighton, Gl., cliff).e.Dmf.2 1917:
A'll gey ee a cluff o' the lug.
2. v. To cuff or slap (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Wgt., Dmf. 1988 W. A. D. and D. Riach A Galloway Glossary :
cluff to beat, thrash.Rxb. 1825 Jam.2:
An ye dinna do what I bid you, I'll cluff your lugs.
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"Cluff n.1, v.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/cluff_n1_v1>
