Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CURRIEBORAM, -borrum, Curryborum, n.
1. “A number of living creatures huddled together; at times accompanied with the notion of cowering in fear” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 35); a crowd, a confused and talkative mass of people (Bnff.9 c.1927; Abd.4 1929, Abd.9 1941, -borrum). Cf. Curriebuction. [′kʌrɪ̢′borəm, -′bɔrəm]Bnff.6 c.1915:
Fat an awfa currieboram there was at the ball last nicht!Bnff.2 1942:
The haill place wis fair steerin' wi' folk a' speakin' throwidder. Ye never saw sic a currie-borrum.
2. A confidential conversation.Abd.(D) 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xlvi.:
Fa sud we meet fair i' the chafts, but Mrs. Birse paraudin' awa', an' an aul' doowager wi' 'er keepin' a curryborum 's gin they hed been sisters.
