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.
SKILM, n. Also skjilm. A skin or deposit of cream or milk sticking to the inside of an unwashed milk-pail (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1970). Hence skilmet, coated with such a deposit, having a yellowish or smudged appearance, of something badly washed (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)), skilmy, of milk: tainted or soured by being kept in dirty vessels (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928)). [′skɪləm]
[Appar. a conflation of Skim, n., and Norw. skimmel, mould.]
