Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1759-1782, 1867-1922
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SCLAFFERT, n. Also -art, -ard, -ort, sclaphart, sklaffirt; sklaffard (Cai.); schlaffert. [′sklɑfərt]
1. (1) A slap, a blow with the open palm or anything flat, a box on the ear (Mry. 1813 W. Leslie Agric. Mry. 464; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 159; n.Sc. 1969). Also transf. the high tide on the Kcd. coast in March (Kcd. 1921 T.S.D.C., the Mairch sclaffert).Abd. 1759 F. Douglas Rural Love 12:
He got a maist uncanny sclaffort.Abd. c.1782 Ellis E.E.P. V. 773:
Shanks gyaa Breece a sclaffert on the lug wi's steekit niv.Abd. 1867 W. Anderson Rhymes 40:
She lent him a sclaffert dang fire frae his e'en.Bnff. 1895 N. Roy Horseman's Word xxv.:
Gie him a schlaffert on the leg.Crm. 1922 Rymour Club Misc. III. 79:
A. Got thee ony sclafards? B. A feoŭ.
†(2) transf. the swellings round the jaws caused by mumps (Lth. 1808 Jam.). Cf. Buffets.
2. Thin, light shoes (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 159). Cf. Sclaff, n., 3.
3. Any thin solid substance; a piece of laminated rock (Ib.). Cf. Sclaff, n., 4.
4. A clumsy flat-footed person (Bnff., Abd. 1969). Cf. Sclaff, v., 3. Deriv.Bnff. 1921 T.S.D.C.:
The Dullanside schlafferts, oh! The tae fit on the grun, The t'ither niver aff it, oh!
