Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GUNPLUCKER, n. The father lasher or short-spined cottus, Cottus scorpius; also applied to the sea scorpion or long-spined cottus, Cottus bubalis (Abd. 1878 Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Abd. 89; Mry.2 1920, Abd. 1955). Cf. Gundie, n.Abd. 1904 Abd. Weekly Free Press (11 June):
“Fat's that? Oh, it's a gun-plucker,” and a wide-mouthed fish is taken off the hooks in disgust.
