Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1915-1929, 1993
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LERB, v., n. Also †lirb (Abd. 1825 Jam.); lerp (Ork. 1960).
I. v. To lap with the tongue, to slobber in drinking (Abd.6 1913, Abd.27 1960).
II. n. (1) A lick, as much as can be taken up by the tongue, a mouthful of some liquid or semi-liquid, as of jam (Abd.30 1960); (2) In deriv. form lerpo, an unappetising mess of food. (1)Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 16:
Fare fa' ye, lassie! I'll need tae gee ye a lerb o' milk.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 4:
I'se see ye by the hens' pot, for fear ye tak' a lerb i' the bygyaun.Abd. 1993:
There wis twa doggies geed tae the mull.
They took a lerb oot o this wifie's pyock,
An a lerb oot o that wifie's pyock,
Syne ran aw hame,
Cryin loupie for spang, loupie for spang.
