Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1874-1884, 1951
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TRUCK, n.1 Also truk(k). The surface turf of hill-pasture peeled off and used as compost (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 217, 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.), now gen. called dry truck as opposed to the weet truck or wet peat underneath (Sh. 1973). Also attrib.Sh. 1874 Trans. Highl. Soc. 201, 217:
"Truck manure," or earth taken from the scathold — a privilege connected with the scatholds. . . . Every person who brings a pony load of "truck" from the hill.Sh. 1884 Crofters' Comm. Report App. A. li. 229:
The system of truck, that is, carrying earth down to the subsoil (sic) from outside the hill-dykes of farms to replenish the arable ground.Sh. 1951 Scottish Field (Oct.) 41:
The old system was to carry home turf (truck) from the hill for use as flooring for the byre and bedding for the cattle during the six winter months when they were kept indoors. . . . This made excellent manure for the arable land in spring.
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"Truck n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 20 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/truck_n1>
