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.
PELL, n.3 The sour milk left in the churn after the butter has formed, buttermilk (Slk. 1825 Jam.), now only in phr. as soor (bitter, salt, etc.) as pell, extremely sour, “as sour as a lemon” (s.Sc. 1825 Jam., Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai).Rxb. 1912 Kelso Chron. (1 Nov.) 3:
What they gied 'im maun lain on his stamack ever sin' syne. An' now he hasna cood keep it ony langer, an' has buicked it up as soor as pell.
