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.
EFTERINS, n.pl. Also aft(e)rin(g)s; aifrins (Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 63); eftirens. [′ɛft(ə)rɪnz, ′ɑf(t)ərɪnz]
1. The last drops of milk taken while milking (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 181; Cai.3 1948; Arg.1 1937, efterins). Obs. or dial. in Eng.Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 185:
Stane still stands hawkie, he her neck does claw Till she'll frae her the massy aft'rins draw.Ayr. 1811 W. Aiton Agric. Ayr. 443:
Older ones [calves] are fed on that which is last drawn, termed afterings.Dmf. 1828 in Froude Carlyle (1890) II. 28:
[Jean] furnishes butter and afterings (jibbings) for tea.Sc. 1842 J. Aiton Cleric. Econ. 173:
After the first two or three weeks, by all means give them plenty of milk, warm from their mother; and let it be that which is last drawn from the cow. locally termed afterings, which are much richer.m.Lth.1 1950:
The efterins are what is collected by going back a second time, a somewhat delicate job . . . in addition there are those instances where it represents a second attempt to deal with the cow that withholds her milk.
2. Fig. Final results, consequences (Sc. 1825 Jam.2, afterings; 1887 Jam.6, efterins, eftirens). Also in the general sense of remainder, as, “the aft'rins o' a feast” (e.Fif. 1825 Jam.2).Ayr. 1823 Galt R. Gilhaize III. x.:
I have been the more strict in setting down these circumstantials, because in the bloody afterings of that meeting they were lost sight of.Sc. 1928 J. G. Horne Lan'wart Loon 15:
An' a' the efterins o' his ploy Had santit in a gale o' joy.
