Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†GREESE, n. An obs. form of Eng. grease in comb. greese butter, rancid butter, used as sheep salve, etc. Also in Yks. dial.Ork. 1769 P. Fea MS. Diary:
Dec. 27: Got from Rob Twat . . . ane half barrell of greese butter.Sc. 1775 Caled. Mercury (19 June):
He has at his cellars in Leith, a considerable quantity of good Orkney Greese Butter.
Phr.: to rule the greese, ? = to rule the roast. The reading in the quot. is doubtful.Sc. p.1714 Jacobite Minstr. (1829) 69:
He [Geo. I] was brought o'er to rule the greese, But, faith, the truth I'll tell, sir; When he takes on his good dame's gees, He canna rule himsel' sir.
