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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CURMUD, Curmudd, Carmud, adj. and v. The obsol. form curmudge is occas. found (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. and Intro. § 23 (A)). Cf. Curmudlie.

I. adj. Given by Watson as obsol.

1. Close; referring both to position and to the state of intimacy (Lnk., s.Sc. 1825 Jam.2; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Rxb. 1808 A. Scott Poems 48:
Cock't on their hunkers, facin' ither, The twasome [frogs] sat curmud thegither.

2. Intimate, on cordial terms, “frequently applied to a pair of lovers” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Rxb. 1825 Jam.2:
It is often used in a bad sense; as, They're o'er curmud thegither, signifying, that a man and woman are so familiar, as to excite suspicion.

3. “Snug, comfortable” (Slk.1825 Jam.2). S.D.D. (1911) gives carmud.Rxb.(D) 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes an Knowes 20:
Sittin curmudd ahint, an geetin a hurl for nochts, twae-threi bleitheleike fallihs . . . smokeet their claey peipes.

II. v. “To sit in a state of closeness and familiarity” (Ags. 1825 Jam.2).Ib.:
They're curmuddin' thegither.

[Cur-, pref., + mud, of uncertain origin, phs. from Muddle, v., q.v., to fuss about, act furtively: cf. also Eng. dial. mud, to pet, pamper.]

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"Curmud adj., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/curmud>

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