Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1795-1811, 1877-1965
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SOBER, adj. Also sowber (Abd. 1923 Banffshire Jnl. (8 May) 10). Sc. form and usages:
1. Of persons or animals: small, slightly-built, insignificant, unsubstantial (Sc. 1808 Jam.; ne.Sc., Ags. 1971).Abd. 1877 W. Alexander Rural Life 69, 178:
The cattle they reared of their own native breed being too “sober” for the yoke. . . . The weaver, a “sober bodie” whom either of them could have put hors de combat by a single blow of his fist.Abd. 1956 G. S. Morris Bothy Ballads I. 27:
Oor bailie's sober, thin and sma', Sideways he's hardly seen ava.
2. Fig. Poor, mean, paltry, poverty-stricken, unprosperous, miserable (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis; ne.Sc. 1971). Adv. soberly, sparingly, frugally (Sc. 1825 Jam.). Obs. in Eng.Rs. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XVII. 343:
It requires the utmost exertion of his industry to afford a maintenance, very sober indeed, to his family.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
A sober servant, a very indifferent one.Sc. 1811 Farmers' Mag. (Aug.) 376:
If only half a peck of potatoes is given each night, (and this is a sober feed to a working horse).Knr. 1891 H. Haliburton Ochil Idylls 140:
A simmer's evenin' glory fa's Upon his hamestead's sober wa's.Abd. 1921 Swatches o' Hamespun 16:
Thin sowens bodet sober health, an' a sober crap.Abd. 1959 People's Jnl. (1 Aug.):
Some gey sober crappies o' neeps.
3. Of persons: in poor or only moderate health, so-so, ailing, sickly, weak (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 267; ne.Sc., Ags., Per. 1971).Per. 1894 I. Maclaren Brier Bush 255:
Hoo's the gudewife? a' doot she's sober.Mry. 1965 Stat. Acc.3 292:
A person who is “gey sober” is an under-statement for one seriously ill.
