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.
TRACK, v.2 Also trak (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.), treck-, tro(c)k-, truck-; tract- and erron. trait (Ags. c.1740 Sc. N. & Q. (Ser. 1) X. 93). [trɑk]
1. As in Eng., to tow a vessel, esp. from the bank of a river or canal. Comb. track-boat, a boat which is towed, a canal-boat (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Hist.Sc. 1798 Edb. Weekly Jnl. (4 July) 215:
He had come from Port-Dundas that morning, in the tract boat.Slg. 1819 Edb. Ev. Courant (1 April) 4:
Communication with Edinburgh and Glasgow, by stage coaches and track-boats.Ayr. 1823 Galt Gathering of West (1939) 65:
The Shipowner and his lady had no choice but to proceed forthwith to Port Dundas to catch the track-boat.Lnk. 1897 J. Wright Scenes Sc. Life 36:
There were no railways; the coach and canal track-boat were the only modes of conveyance.
2. To infuse, make (tea) (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1972).Sh. 1900 Shetland News (1 Dec.):
Dis tae is trakkit.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 39:
What sorro ir you twa gyaan ta reek fur eenoo whin da tay is trakked?
Comb. track-pot, treck-, tract-, a tea-pot (Sc. 1808 Jam.; ‡Abd. 1972). Also dim. trackie (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 195; ‡ne.Sc. 1972), trockie. Phr. to saiddle the trackie, jocularly, to make tea (Abd. 1964).Sc. 1706 Essay upon Industry & Trade 23:
China Tea-cups, Dishes, Tract-pots and Coolers.Abd. 1736 Abd. Estate (S.C.) 25:
To one Stone Track Pat . . . 10d.Abd. 1746 Caled. Mercury (22 Sept.):
A Silver Tract-pot of an oval Shape, chessed about the Mouth and Lid, and would hold about three Mutchkins.Ayr. 1821 Galt Annals ii.:
Gathering up their truck pots [sic] and trenchers, and cowering away home.Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail lxv.:
Tell the lass to bring ben the treck-pot.Abd. 1851 W. Anderson Rhymes 206:
Ilka hour o' the day . . . Her kettle or trokie was seen on the fire.Mry. 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. 158:
She keeps the trackie in the press.Abd. 1961 People's Jnl. (28 Jan.):
I maskit the trackie fin I saw ye comin' in aboot.Abd. 1993:
She made er tae in a lame trackie pot.
