Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

RASCAL, n. Sc. usages in combs.:

1. Rascal Fair, a hiring market held after the term for the engagement of men who had failed to obtain employment at the regular market (Abd.⁴ 1929); 2. rascal fang, the last slice of a loaf, generally of thick proportions and given to a young lad. Cf. knaves' fang s.v. Fang, n.², 2.; 3. Rascal Friday, the Friday on which Rascal Fair was held (Abd.²⁷ 1939). See 1.; 4. rascal knot, a kind of knot tied on the straw bands of sheaves of corn (‡Kcd. 1940; Abd., Rxb. 1967); 5. Rascal Market, = 1. (Ags. 1953); 6. rascal snap, a brief period of work, done intermittently when opportunity or inclination offers, as between spells of bad weather (Abd. 1967).1. Abd. 1890 Bon-Accord (8 March) 20:
I never in a' my life saw sic a crood o' fouk, excep' aince roon two drucken plooghmen ae day at Rascal Fair.2. Abd. 1934 Scotsman (29 Aug.):
“The rascal fang” was used to designate the end slice of the loaf, which was supposed to be of goodly proportions.3. Abd. 1964 Abd. Press & Jnl. (27 Nov.):
Next Friday would have been Rascal Friday, the day when men came back to try for another fee, after having left their new places dissatisfied, or having been dismissed from them.6. Abd. 1953 Huntly Express (16 Oct.):
It's been a tricky year a' throo an ye got yer wark deen bi rascal snaps.Abd. 1954 Huntly Express (5 Nov.):
If ye dinna dee yer wark this year bi rascal snaps, ye wir haud back and oota' sisson.