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.
SCUR, n.2 [skʌr]
I. 1. The water-shrimp, Gammarus (Lnk. 1825 Jam.).Lnk. 1870 J. Nicholson Idylls 33:
Scurs an' puddocks, asks an' powheads.
2. The may-fly, immediately after it has left its larva stage (Cld. 1825 Jam.; Ayr. 1896 J. Lamb Annals Ayr. Parish 244, Ayr. 1958), freq. used as angler's bait.
[Orig. doubtful. Phs. a variant of Screw, n.2, id., q.v., though the formal development is obscure, ? by metathesis.]