Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CONTENT, n. A drink made of hot water, milk and sugar (Ags.17, Fif.10 1942; Edb. c.1880 (per Slg.3); Arg.1 1942). [kɔn′tɛnt]Sc. 1857 J. W. Carlyle Letters (Carlyle 1903) II. 133:
I take no tea, - only what they call in Scotland "content" - not even that quite, for I take milk and water without sugar.Bnff.2 1942:
Ma mither taks nithing bit a cup o' content t' her supper.e.Lth. 1913 John Muir The Story of My Boyhood and Youth (1987) 21:
It consisted, as far as we children were concerned, of half a slice of white bread without butter, barley scone, and warm water with a little milk and sugar in it, a beverage called 'content', which warmed but neither cheered nor inebriated.Ayr. 1833 Galt Eben Erskine I. i.:
I still recollect her cheerfulness over content, after having reserved her tea for a needy winner.
