Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HASHER, n.

1. An implement used to slice up turnips for fodder (Abd. 1884; I. and ne.Sc., Ags., Fif. 1956).Abd. 1921 T. L. Morrison Murmurings frae Ury 22:
Hashers till cut up the neeps.Abd. 1953 Fraserburgh Herald (26 May):
Turnip Hasher, Turnip Barrow.

2. In pl.: straps worn round the knee by ploughmen.Rs. 1940 Scotsman (1 May):
“Hashers” were bought in saddlers' shops in the towns, and were of great assistance to horsemen, especially when harrowing. The use of string is a poor make-shift for the flannel-lined “hasher.”

3. A careless, hustling person; a workman capable of getting through a good deal of work quickly in a rough and ready fashion (ne. and em.Sc.(a), m.Lth., Ayr., Kcb. 1956).Lnk. 1875 T. Stewart Doric Rhyme 197:
Oor Bobie's a basher, a bully, a smasher, Ye ar'na a hasher like him, an' them a'.Edb. 1952 Scotsman (18 Feb.):
The younger men, many of them known as “hashers” in the [mason] trade, and employed on bonusable work.