Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1793-1935
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FORESUPPER, n. Also -sipper (Rnf. 1825 Jam.). The interval between the end of work and supper-time (Lnk., s.Sc. 1825 Jam.); later, with changes in meal-hours, the time (of rest and recreation) before the last meal of the day, between tea-time and supper-time. Also fore-suppertime (s.Sc. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 11). Cf. Forenicht.s.Sc. 1793 T. Scott Poems 316:
Nae mair we by the biel bud-nook Sit hale fore-sippers owr a book.Dmf. 1834 Carlyle Letters (ed.Norton) II.242:
Allan Cunningham and his wife . . . were here lately in the Scotch “fore-supper” style.Bwk. 1876 W. Brockie Leaderside Leg. 25:
He wad . . . trudge up to the smiddy, Where a' the lang fore-supper-times he was a tenant steady.Lnk. 1895 W. C. Fraser Whaups of Durley xiii.:
I often step ower in the foresupper.Uls. 1924 Northern Whig (4 Jan.):
Foresupper — Time before supper when, work done, the household is gathered round the hearth.m.Sc. 1935 “O. Douglas” Taken by the Hand xxviii.:
I fair enjoy the papers. Merry reads them out loud to me in the fore-suppers.
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"Foresupper n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/foresupper>
