Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BURNT, BURNED, ppl.adj. In combs. peculiar to Sc.

(1) burnt ale, the refuse or waste liquid from a whisky still, spent wash (Abd. 1796 Session Papers, Leslie v. Fraser (29 March 1805) 214). See also Brunt v., pa.t. and pa.p.; (2) burnt coal, in Mining: coal which has been altered and carbonized by the intrusion of trap rock (Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Mining Terms 14); (3) Burnt-land. See Bruntland; (4) burnt-nebbit, adj., “used of ‘tawse',: having the ends hardened in the fire” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.; Abd.⁹ 1937); (5) burned yill, warmed ale (Abd.² 1937). This use is given in N.E.D. as “now only dial.” (1)Sc. 1791 Session Papers, Petition J. Jamieson (25 June) 16: 
When no more of this liquor is raised in vapour by the boiling of the liquor in the still, the still is discharged of the residuum, which is called burnt ale.(4) Edb. 1864 A. Johnston Lays of Edina xi.:
For these and other crimes and misdemeanours, I am quite willing to receive any amount of literary birch and “burnt-nebbit-taws” castigation which the critics may be pleased to bestow.(5) m.Sc. 1927 J. Buchan Witch Wood ii.:
I'll hae a cup o' burned yill waitin' for ye to fend off the cauld.