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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.

‡SHURF, n. Also shirf (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1970). An insignificant person, “a term expressive of great contempt” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.; s.Sc. 1970). [ʃʌrf, ʃɪrf]Slk. 1818 Hogg Wool Gatherer (1874) 84:
Get away wi' ye! ye bowled-like shurf.Rxb. 1868 Trans. Hawick Arch. Soc. 32:
Let them alane, ye singit-like shurf.

[A parallel form to Eng. scurf, from the O.E. variant sceorf. The metathetic form shruff is found in Eng. dial. = refuse, rubbish for burning. For the meaning cf. Scruiff, n., 7.]

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