Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
CRAN, Crane, n.4 A tap, esp. one of a swan-necked form (Rnf. 1975). Gen. except I.Sc. [krɑn, kren]Sc. 1834 G. Smith Construct. Cottages 34:
Each sink to have a crane and plug.Sc. 1875 W. P. Buchan Plumbing 163:
An iron sink, or "jawbox" with a screw-down tube-crane.Sc. 1941 J. E. Scott in Scotsman (21 Feb.) 7:
A “cran” is a tap that supplies the kitchen sink, bath, etc.Fif. 1909 J. C. Craig Sangs o' Bairns 195:
They [tears] will come sypin' doon my cheeks, Juist like's the crane was slack.Edb. 1850 J. Smith Humorous Sc. Stories (14th ed.) 57:
The weather-clerk turned on the cran, an' doun fell the rain frae his watering-pan like a deluge.Lnk. 1844 J. Lemon (ed.) Lays of St Mungo 76:
He had a sly blow-out In secret every morning, When that he turned his crane about Light trifles ever scorning.Lnk. 1881 D. Thomson Musings 202:
While Selfishness supplies the drink, Base Av'rice gathers in the clink, An' Ruin stauns beside the cran, An' deals it oot wi' lib'ral haun.
Comb.: crane-box, “the woodwork enclosing the pipes leading to the taps behind a sink” (Kcb.10 1940).
[Du. kraan, water-tap, cock, Mid.Du. kraene, a bung in the shape of a crane (Kilian).]
