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.
LOAF, n. Also lof (Sh.). For hist. Sc. forms see Laif. Gen.Sc. usage: bread, esp. flour bread. Now only dial. in Eng.
Hence 1. loaf-breid, -bread, wheaten-flour bread as opposed to Breid alone, which connotes (still in n.Sc.) oatcakes (Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 256). Gen.Sc.; 2. loafie, a kind of currant bun (Kcd., Ags. 1961); bread fried in beaten-up eggs and milk (Per. 1930).Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 58:
“ . . .What corn?” Sibbie ax'd, haandin' me my cup an' a sleesh o' lof.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 85:
Twa sheaves o lof clined wi butter.Abd. 1960 Stat. Acc.3 317:
In fact the term “bread” meant oatcakes, wheat bread being designated “loaf”.1. Bte. 1745 Session Bk. Rothesay (1931) 460:
3 pecks of flour prepard with loaf-bread.Sc. 1773 Boswell Tour (Pottle 1936) 134:
There was no loaf-bread, but very good scones, or cakes of flour baked with butter.wm.Sc. 1810 Farmer's Mag. (March) 121:
The low prices of oatmeal and potatoes also contribute much to lessen the consumpt of loaf-bread.Edb. 1819 Edb. Ev. Courant (12 April) 3:
They have erected additional ovens, in order to accommodate their numerous customers, and other families, with small bread and dinner rolls, the want of which they are aware has prevented many from becoming customers for their Loaf Bread.Inv. 1834 G. Anderson Guide to Highl. 45:
The traveller may everywhere calculate on the luxuries of tea and sugar, and generally loaf-bread or biscuits.Ags. 1891 Barrie Little Minister xiv.:
For besides the teapot there were butter and loaf-bread and cheesies; a biscuit of which only Thrums knows the secret.Dmf. 1917 J. L. Waugh Cute McCheyne 86:
Whae gied the Glenburnie jeuks loaf-bread soaked in whisky, an' lauched at the puir, staggerin', waddlin' sowls till his nose bled?wm.Sc. 1948 Scots Mag. (June) 214:
The loaf bread and the scones had vanished like snow off a dyke.Mry. 1952 I. Cameron Heather Mixture v.:
So Nancy contented herself with … “loaf bread” because there was no milk for scones.2. Ags. 1893 Arbroath Guide (14 Jan.):
Ye'll maybe be thinkin' that because Marg'et made a mess o' her loafie — we'd had nae New Year ava.
