Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PASSENGER, n. Sc. usage: a passer-by, passing pedestrian, wayfarer. Rare in Eng. since early 18th c.Ayr. 1729 Ayr Presb. Reg. MS. (1 July) 377:
He & she were together talking behinde a bush, which concealled them from the sight of passengers in the road.Ayr. 1790 Burns Elegy on Capt. M.H., Epit. i.:
Stop, passenger! my story's brief.Slk. 1818 Hogg Tales (1874) 72:
Strangers seldom approached that sequestered spot — passengers never.Sc. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth xix.:
Even these comparatively lonely passages were now astir with passengers, so general was the alarm.Sc. 1886 Stevenson Kidnapped xxx.:
The narrow arched entries that continually vomited passengers.
