Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†CODROCH, COTHROCH, Cothrugh, adj. and v. [′kɔdrʌx, ′kɔðrʌx]
1. adj.
(1) “Rustic, having the manners of the country” (Fif., Lth. 1808 Jam.; 1825 Jam.2, cothrugh), hence clumsy, rough.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Sc. Poems (1925) 50:
For what use was I [flagged pavement] made, I wonder, It was na tamely to chap under The weight of ilka codroch chiel, That does my skin to targits peel.
(2) “Dirty, slovenly” (Lth. 1808 Jam.).
2. v.
(1) “To work in a dirty, disgusting manner; particularly applied to cooking” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 221, cothroch).
Hence (a) cothrochie, adj., “fond of good eating, with the notion of making much ado about the preparation of what is eaten, and of being dirty” (Ib.); (b) cothrochin', “dirty and unskilful” (Ib.).
(2) With wee (= wi'): to nurse with excessive care (Ib.). .
[Origin uncertain. Codrach, codroch is given in D.O.S.T. as “an idle person of a low class,” or as an adj., “belonging to the ‘codroch' class.” The Gl. to Ramsay's Evergreen gives “miserable and nasty.”]
