Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WHORE, n. Also Sc. form whüre (Arg. 1914 J. M. Hay Gillespie iv. xii.). Sc. transf. usage: see quot., poss. so called as being in debased currency and having a semi-nude female figure on the harp on the reverse side. For the more common Sc. spellings, see Hure.Edb. 1730 Caled. Mercury (6 Jan.):
He had purchased some of the Irish Halfpence called Whores, (which go more readily in the North than here).
