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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†SWARBIT, n. In imprecatory phr. Deil swarbit on, the Devil's curse on, the Devil forbid . .! (see note).Abd. c.1720 R. Chambers Jests (1832) 128:
I was praying ‘Deil swarbit on him!' Deil swarbit is a bitter execration, peculiar to Buchan, Meston's native district.

[O.Sc. swarbett, id., 1597, E.M.E. swarbout, a corruption of [God']s forbote, God's forbidding, O.E. forbod, a forbidding, prohibition. See Sarbit.]

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