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.
SCRAMMLE, v., n. Also scram(m)el, -il, scramle, scramble. Gen.Sc. forms of Eng. scramble, specif. the scatter of coins and/or sweets to children, esp. at a wedding. (Edb. 1822 R. Wilson Poems 123; Abd. 1884 D. Grant Lays 14; Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 18; Lnk. 1919 G. Rae Clyde and Tweed 11; Bwk. 1947 W. L. Ferguson Makar's Medley 35). See P.L.D. § 62. [′skrɑməl]
Gsw. 1990 John and Willy Maley From the Calton to Catalonia 1:
Quick! There's a scramble in Parnie Street! The wee yin there's away wae a hauf-croon. Edb. 1993:
A scramble is a scatter of money, marbles or sweets to an awaiting crowd.