Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1834, 1905
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RIFF-RAFF, n. As in Eng. Sc. intensive form riffle-raffle, a heterogeneous collection. Adj. deriv. riff-raffery, worthless, trashy.Sc. 1834 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) IV. 233:
The wives o' the workin classes, . . . set their faces against their husbands attendin sic riff-raffery affairs.Kcb. 1905 Crockett Cherry Ribband xx.:
The riffle-raffle o' boats' riggin smellin' o' a' the fish i' the sea.
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"Riff-raff n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snd00080129>
