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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CRACKERHEADS, CRACKERS, n.pl. “The roots of big tangles, or Alga marina, eaten by young people” (Ags. 1808 Jam.; 1886 B. and H. 125); “tangles” (Ags.9 (Usan) 1927, crackers).Ags. 1824 J. Bowick Characters 72: 
But the merrie merrie mob threw sticks and stanes And crackerheads and big cod banes.

[Prob. from the “cracking” sound given by the vesicles when burst.]

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