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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SHOLMIT, ppl.adj. Also -et, shalmot; sjolmet (Jak.): sheum(m)id, shuimit (Ork.). Of a cow: having a white face (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 196, 1908 Jak. (1928), Ork. 1929 Marw., shuimit; Sh., Ork. 1970). A cow with such markings is given the pet-name Sholma (Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 176). [Sh. ′ʃɔlmət; Ork. ′ʃømət]Sh. 1836 Gentleman's Mag. II. 592:
His wyfe baad him skuyt i da door gin da sholmit ku wiz kum hemm.Sh. 1898 “Junda” Klingrahool 24:
An gie a god bite ta da unkan koo' Da ean wi da sholmet face.Ork. 1927 Peace's Ork. Almanac 136:
Ye'r sheumid coo's wirried 'ersel wi' a bit o' neep.Sh. 1964 Abd. Press & Jnl. (24 March):
She may still see them in Shetland in different colours, e.g., black, grey, white and harlequin, or brown with white faces and feet, and black with the same markings. The latter are called by the locals “shalmot.”