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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SWABIE, n. Also swaabi(e), swab(b)i; swabek (Jak.). The full form swartba(c)k is found occas. in formal writing. [′swɑbi] The great black-backed gull, Larus marinus (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 214, swaabie, 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), swabi, Sh. 1971). Also in comb. swaabi-maa, id. (Sh. 1971).Ork. 1805 G. Barry Hist. Ork. 304:
Our black-backed mew, or as it is sometimes called, swartback.Sh. 1821 Scott Pirate x.:
The water-fowl took to wing in eddying and confused wheel, answering the echoes with a thousand varying screams, from the deep note of the swabie, or swartback, to the querulous cry of tirracke and kittiewake.Sh. 1834 Old-Lore Misc. X. v. 202:
On the neighbouring Fugle Skerry the swabie shares the ground with the lesser black-backed [gull].Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 44:
Roon and roon, Screecghin laek a swaabie.Sh. 1947 New Shetlander No. 4. 10:
A'm no da craa dat looks fir eggs, nor yet a swabbi maa!Sh. 1992 Bobby Tulloch A Guide to Shetland's Breeding Birds 54:
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL
(Larus marinus)
shet: Swaabie or Baagie

Comb.: peerie swaabie, The lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus.Sh. 1992 Bobby Tulloch A Guide to Shetland's Breeding Birds 52:
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
(Larus Fuscus)
shet: Peerie Swaabie or Said Fool. (Saithe Fowl).