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.
DERRAWAS, DARROWAS, n. [′dɛrowɑs, ′dar-]
1. “Punishment, a scolding, etc.” (Ork. 1929 Marw.).Ib.:
Thoo'll get thee darrowas the night when thoo comes home.
2. “A thing of little consequence” (Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. (1922) 150).
[Origin obscure. The word suggests Ork. forms of Thereawa, used as a n. in pl. with, in 1, a euphemistic, and, in 2, a depreciatory force, to indicate something indefinite and unspecified. But no exact parallel can be adduced.]
