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.
Quotation dates: 1717-1721, 1819, 1901
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OFFCOME, n. See also Affcome.
1. An excuse, pretext, subterfuge, evasion, a way of avoiding or getting out of a difficulty or awkward situation (Sc. 1825 Jam.).Sc. 1717 R. Wodrow Corresp. (1843) II, 270:
The offcome of the Presbytery was, that he wavered so in his answers, that they behoved to set them down in write.Sc. 1721 R. Wodrow Sufferings iii. xi. s. 2:
The king signifies That . . . he meant “Such of them as did not take the Test, or any other Oath”; which is a silly Stretch and Offcome.Sc. 1819 Scott Bride of Lamm. xxvi:
A gude offcome, prudently and creditably handled, may serve a nobleman and his family, Lord kens how lang!
2. A good or bad result, the way in which a thing works out (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; s.Sc. 1964).Sc. 1901 Blackwood's Mag. (Aug.) 197:
There were others . . . who chuckled at Rab's successful off-come.
