Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1877-1900
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GORROCH, v., n. Also gor(r)ach. [′gɔrəx]
I. v. To mix, stir about any thing soft or messy: "to mix and spoil porridge, or such food" (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 234; Kcb.9 1955), "to mix, as porridge with milk, or to make mud pies" (w.Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 348, gorrach), to mess about. Also used fig. = to make a mess (of something), to spoil, bungle (Slg. 1900 E.D.D.; Kcb.10 1955).Kcb. 1894 Crockett Raiders vii.:
I had not gone far . . . when one . . . great stot trod upon me and "gorroched" me deeper into the black peat broth.
Vbl.n. gorachan, -en, hard work (m. and s.Sc. 1869 Athenaeum (13 March) 382; Dmf. 1871 N. & Q., 4th Series vii. 143).
II. n. 1. A muddy spot, such as is formed by the trampling of cows (Dmf. 1925 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 27; Kcb., Dmf. 1955); a mess, lit. and fig.Wgt. 1877 "Saxon" Gall. Gossip 327:
There was a great gorrach on the road where they stood, made by the cart wheels.Slg. 1900 E.D.D.:
Ye've made a complete gorroch o' your porridge.
2. An untidy worker, a bungler, muddler (Kcb.10 1955).Gall. 1900 E.D.D.:
She's just a handless gorroch; she never keeps ony place snod.
