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.
†HUSBAND WARK, n.comb. Also -work.
1. The work of a husbandman or farmer, farm-work.Dmf. 1751 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. (1864–5) 38:
A domestic servant man who can . . . work all husband work.
2. Extended to apply to a woman's housework.Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 54:
A muckle lazy useless jade, she can do naething but work at husband wark; card and spin, wash ladies rooms . . . she canna tak a creel on her back.
