Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
LEPER, n. Sc. variant of Eng. leopard. Cf. Libbard. Comb. leper-cat, id. The reference in the quot. is to the leopards in the design of the pound note of the Aberdeen Banking Co. (1771–1849) derived from the heraldic supporters of the arms of the city of Aberdeen. It had been proposed in 1857 to impose an annual tax of £1 on horses.Abd. 1857 Banffshire Jnl. (3 Feb.) 8:
Ere I pay twa leper cats Before I yoke the plough, man.
