We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SKATIE-GOO, n.comb. The Arctic skua, Stercorarius parasiticus (Kcd. 1825 Jam.).

[From skatie + Goo, n.2, the first element being of somewhat uncertain orig. but phs. to be connected with O.Sc. skaitbird, 1508, which may refer to the same bird, popularly thought to pursue other birds and eat their excreta. Cf. Skeet, Skite. But the phonological development is not clear.]

24016

snd