Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1824-1835
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BACKMAN, n.
1. A henchman, a follower in war.Slk. a.1835 J. Hogg Tales, etc. (1837) VI. 111:
An Charlie come he's as gude as some three, an' his backman's nae bean-swaup neither.
2. A porter, one who carries loads on his back, a (coal-)heaver.Abd. 1824 Abd. Jnl. N. & Q. VI. 132:
Rates for street and harbour porters, backmen of coals.
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"Backman n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/backman>
