Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 2005 (SND, online supplement).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BALLOON, n. A boastful idiot.wm.Sc. 1965 Alan Sharp A Green Tree in Gedde (1985) 118:
'Pray summarize.' Now only a balloon would say something like 'pray summarize', Moseby thought.wm.Sc. 1977 William McIlvanney Laidlaw (1985) 87:
Lennie said nothing, stayed perfectly still, knew himself hanging over the sheer drop of Mason's anger. Mason sat over his desk, staring at it.'Surrounded with balloons,' he said, fogging the glass top. 'What am I?'Sc. 1995 Herald 3 Jul 3:
The Thistle crowd, all 3182 of them, had been in benevolent summer mood until then, but they changed their mood, as Scottish fans do, when their heroes lost their way a bit. "Bonuses, ya balloons?" was one heart-felt cry. "We should get the dough for turning up."Sc. 1997 Daily Record 19 May 2:
"Farry, ya balloon. Think ye're smart 'cos ye own Scottish fitba?"Sc. 1999 Haggis Supper 3 3:
What is even more incredible is that after some forty years in professional football he would get so upset by the writings of a balloon like Gerry McNee.Sc. 2002 Herald 12 Sep 20:
Foul-mouthed badinage ensued, culminating in our man shouting: "It's simple, ya balloon! Roads for cars! Pavements, pedestrians!"
