Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BULBACK, n. Also bolbak (Jak.), ¶bullack. The upper hand or the advantage, authority, charge or command (Sh. 1962). [′bʊlbək]Sh. 1879 Shetland Times (10 May):
Gin ye try ta tak ower muckle bullack [sic] apo wis. Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Du will no tak (get) bolbak ower me.
[Cf. Faer. bilbugt, upper hand, Icel. bilbugur, O.N. bilbugr, yielding, giving way.]
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"Bulback n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 26 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snd00088192>
