Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BIT, n.2 In phr. never to have aff the bit, to be out of the bit, no to get out (o) the bit, to be always on duty, never out of harness.Edb. 1938 Fred Urquhart Time Will Knit (1988) 229:
"Oh, they'll do that all right," Aunt Bella said. "Only, they'll no' help themselves to get out o' the bit. ..."Dmf. 1955:
Of a woman who is completely tied to the house by domestic affairs it is said that “she's never aff the bit.”wm.Sc. 1991 Liz Lochhead Bagpipe Muzak 49:
My Mother was surprising. She said, Jesus Christ, Joy, get rid of it or you'll never get out the bit.
[From bit, the mouth part of a horse's bridle.]
