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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.

DRAFF, n. Used as in Eng. to signify dregs, refuse, esp. the refuse of malt after brewing. Obs. Sc. usages in Phr. and Combs.: 1. draff-cheap, adj., dirt-cheap; 2. draff-pock, a sack for carrying draff; used fig. (1) = an imperfection, a fault; (2) as a term of reproach (Sc. a.1873 F. Grose Gl., MS. Add.); also in n.Yks. dial.; 3. draff race (see quot.); 4. draff-sack, = 2; also fig. = a lazy glutton; 5. to be na draff, to be “no small beer.”1. Rnf. 1806 R. Tannahill Poems (1815) 36:
Yet, thanks is but a draff-cheap phrase, Of little value now-a-days.2. Sc. 1822 Scott F. Nigel iii.:
The King, that sits na mickle better than a draff-pock in the saddle.(1) Sc. 1737 Ramsay Proverbs (1776) 25:
Every man has his ain draff pock.Lnk. 1813 G. MacIndoe Wandering Muse 111:
But Tibie, like a hantle fouk, Could hide her ain bit wee draff-pock, Neath a lang hypocritic cloak, O' Clooty's make.Ayr. 1847 J. Paterson (ed.) Ballads and Songs (Series 2) 91:
We a' hae our draff pocks — Some firmly stuffed nae doubt.3. Dmf. 1759 in Dmf. and Gall. N. and Q. I. 91:
In the accounts of the Treasurer of the Royal Burgh of Sanquhar for the year 1759 (the earliest preserved) . . . there are particulars of money spent for a race, referred to as the “Draff Race,” which seems to have been an annual event taking place latterly upon June 4th, the birthday of King George III. Whether it was a horse-race or a foot-race I have no knowledge.4. Kcb. 1894 S. R. Crockett Lilac Sunbonnet ix.:
He rade Birsie this mornin', too, after the kickin' randie had cuist me aff his back like a draff sack.Ib. xxi.:
Sleep yer ain sleeps, ye pair o' draff-sacks.5. Bch. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 38:
I cockit you upo' my brow, An' spankit aff; Thinkin that 'tween me an you, I wis na drafff.