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.
GRIT, n.2 Sc. usage of Eng. (now dial.) grit, coarse oatmeal, in pl.: the kernels of oats.Sc. 1814 J. Sinclair Agric. Scot. I. 512:
The kernels of the oats, after the shells are removed by this first operation, are named grits or groats, formerly much used in broths, which constitute a material portion of ordinary Scotch fare.Lth. 1829 G. Robertson Recollections 254:
The corn-mills were often stopped altogether . . . for lack of wind to fan the shieling, or to separate the sids, or shells, from the grits or kernel of the oats.Lth. 1921 A. Dodds Antrin Sangs 18:
The mou'tin hens keep the shed for bield, And the cock has a roopet craw; Tho' they venture whiles tae the stibble field, Where there's rowth o' grit for their maw.
