Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

SLATCH, v., n. Also voiced form sladge. See also Sclatch. [slɑtʃ]

I. v. 1. To work or bespatter oneself in any messy substance, to potter or dabble in mud or the like (Slk. 1825 Jam., slatch, sladge; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1970); to bespatter, make messy.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
He slatched the wa' wi' glaur.

2. To walk through mud or mire, to wade about messily, to splash through mud (s.Sc. 1825 Jam., sladge, slatch; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1970).Slk. 1825 Jam.:
A slatchin day, a day when one has to drag one's legs through mire.

3. To hit with a resounding smack, to slap hard (Rxb. 1970).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A'll slatch eer jaw.

4. To fall in torrents, of rain.Abd. 1966 Huntly Express (28 Oct.):
The rain cam' slatchin' doon sae unca.

II. n. 1. A messy, dirty worker, one who dirties his clothes in a slovenly way, a slattern, a dirty coarse woman (Lnk., s.Sc. 1825 Jam., Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1970).

2. A wet and muddy place, a mire (s.Sc. 1970).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A glaury slatch.

3. A resounding blow, a slap, a heavy thud (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Cai. 1934; Sh., Slk. 1970).Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 69:
He coopit ower, an' cam' doon on his sate wi' a slatch, fair ip a da top o' da fire.