Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BOORAG, Bowarag, n. [′bu:rəg. See P.L.D. § 157 (4)]
1. “Rough unshapen piece of turf used as peat” (Cai.4 1920).Cai. 1891 D. Stephen Gleanings in the North 59:
A father complained to him in the following terms — “Maister Jolly, yin gigglegawkie, fat ye ca' m' son, dangs bowarag [very rare form (Cai.3)] in my dochter's e'e, and tramped 'po' my folpey's feet.”Cai. 1911 John o' Groat Jnl. (2 June):
Boorag — a peat cut out of shallow moss, with its lower half moss, and its upper part growing heather, used as backing to a peat fire.Cai. 1928 “Caithness Forum” in John o' Groat Jnl. (17 Feb.):
Bliss ye, lassie, put a boorag or twa back o' 'e fire or ma teeth will be clatterin' in ma heid.
2. “Turf used for thatching houses. One part of Thurso is called Boorag-town” (Cai. 1914 T.S.D.C. I.).
[Cf. Gael. búrach, a digging, from Eng. burrow (MacBain).]
