Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
OOTHER, n. Also outher; (w)ooder, ouder, owder. [′u:ðər, ′(w)u:dər]
1. The fluff from wool, cotton, etc., when it begins to fray (Rxb. 1825 Jam., wooder, 1923 Watson W.-B.; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Peb., s.Sc. 1964). Hence outhery, ooderie, fluffy, like fluff, shaggy (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; s.Sc. 1964); by extension: “a term applied to cattle, when from their leanness, roughness of skin, and length of hair, it appears that they are not in a thriving state” (Bwk. 1825 Jam.); also well-to-do, “well-lined” (Rxb. 1958 Trans. Hawick Arch. Soc. 34).Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 9:
Wui breezes threh the Border hills ti blaw away the ooder an the speeder-wobs threh a body's herns.
2. A light morning mist or haze; the flickering haze that rises from the ground on a warm day (Slk. 1825 Jam.), appar. from its fluffy or woolly appearance, but it is somewhat uncertain whether this is the same word.Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck x.:
A cloud of light haze (or, as the country people call it, the blue ouder) slept upon the long valley of water.Slk. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 III. 33:
A haze or ouder as it is often named, indicates a cold state of the atmosphere.
