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).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BURST, n. Used as in St.Eng., but note the following.

1. “Burst of whinstone, A bed or mass of igneous rock at the surface of the ground” (Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Sc. Mining Terms 14).

2. A sudden and violent appearance of a shoal of fish; given by N.E.D. as “in local use.”Ork. 1881 Weekly Scotsman (2 Feb.):
What is known at Kirkwall as a burst of razor or spout-fish (Solen siliqua) commenced on an extensive scale last Sunday morning in the Broadbay Sands.

3. Temporary or permanent injury caused by over-exertion (Bnff.², Abd.¹⁹, Ags.², Fif.¹⁰ 1937). Cf. Bursen, 1 (2).Mry.(D) 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. 126:
Ane o' the men niver cower'd the burst 'at he got sheelin' a road.

4. A bout of drunkenness (Bnff.², Abd.²², Ags.¹, Lnk.³, Kcb.¹ 1937); a big feed (w.Lth. 1937 (per Edb.¹)). Given in N.E.D. and Un. Eng. Dict. as colloq. Often in phr. a hunger or a burst = Eng. “a feast or a famine” (Cai.⁷, Slg.³, Fif.¹⁰, Lnl.¹ 1937); also fig.Arg.¹ 1937:
There's nae steady tred nooadays; it's ayther a hunger or a burst.Rnf. 1861 J. Barr Poems and Songs 110:
I wadna just say that she's drucken, But it's either a burst or a starve.