Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1701, 1795, 1868-1992
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SCARF, n. Also scarff, skarf. See also Scart, n.3 [skarf]
1. The cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (Ork. 1808 Jam.; Mry. 1844 Zoologist II. 515; Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh., Ork., Cai., Inv., Mry., Bnff., Uls. 1969); occas. also the shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis (Ork. 1805 G. Barry Hist. Ork. 200; Sh. 1969). Comb. great scarf, the cormorant (Id.). Also muckle scarf. Phr. to beat (the) scarfs, to flap the arms against the sides to keep oneself warm on a cold day (Sh. 1882 Jam., Sh. 1950), sc. like a cormorant flapping its wings.Sh. 1701 J. Brand Descr. Zetland 180:
The Fowls have their Nests on the Holms in a very beautiful order . . . as the Scarfs by themselves, so the Cetywaicks, Tominories, Mawes, etc.Cai. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 VIII. 159:
The swarms of scarfs, marrots, faiks, etc., that come to hatch in the rocks.Ork. 1868 D. Gorrie Orkneys 153:
A lazy scarff here and there . . . waved his long wings.Sh. 1901 Shetland News (9 Feb.):
Be dis time I hed ta baet da scarf as weel as Sibbie.Sh. 1918 T. Manson Peat Commission 189:
A lock o scarfs on da edge o a skerry.Sh. 1948 C. E. Mitchell Up-Helly-Aa 73:
On the edge of each rib was fixed a scarf's claw.Sh. 1992 Bobby Tulloch A Guide to Shetland's Breeding Birds 26:
CORMORANT
(Phalacrocorax carbo)
shet: Muckle Scarf, Lorin, Hiplin (adult), Brongi (immature)
2. A nickname for an inhabitant of Eday in Orkney (Ork. 1883 J. R. Tudor Ork. and Sh. 614, Ork. 1969).Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. viii. 320:
There's naither a stirlin', . . scarf, . . . mare or bluidy puddin 'll vote for 'im.
