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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MIRACULOUS, adj. Also Sc. forms: mirawculous (Sc. 1829 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 274); mirac(k)lous; and curtailed forms mirac(k) (ne.Sc., Per. 1963, Per. 1980s),  maroc.

Sc. usages:

1. In a stupefied or incapable condition, esp. from drink, very intoxicated (Sc. 1903 E.D.D.; Abd. 1910, mirac(ulous)). Gen.Sc. Also in n.Eng. dial. Also adv.Lnk. 1881 D. Thomson Musings 175:
The hale lot in a body Had got themsel's mirac'lous fu'.Wgt. 1904 J. F. Cannon Whithorn 107:
Jamie was once taken home in a “miraculous” condition and put to bed.Fif. 1912 D. Rorie Mining Folk 406:
A drunk man, if very drunk, is described as “mortagious”, “miracklous”, “steamin' wi' drink,” or “blin' fou'.”Bnff.² c.1930:
They got mirack as usual, at the back o' the dyke.Gsw. 1985 Michael Munro The Patter 46:
miraculous Usually, who knows why, pronounced 'marockyoolus', this is a slang term for drunk. Maroc is sometimes heard as a shortened form of this and has nothing to do with tangerines: 'Ah seen him stotin roon Georgie Square, pur [sic] maroc he wis!' Edb. 2005:
He came hame completely mirac.

2. Clumsy, awkward (Cai.⁹ 1939), irresponsible in behaviour, loutish (Cai. 1963).Abd.¹⁵ c.1930:
He's a miraclous lump.