Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SPAIVER, n. Also spaver, spever; spawer (Bnff. 1904 E.D.D.). The opening or fly in men's trousers (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 176; ne.Sc., Ags. 1971). Cf.Spare, n., 2. Also attrib. as in spaiver-button. [′spevər]ne.Sc. 1832 P. Buchan Secret Songs 11:
But the auld sow thrust her grunt In the spever o' his breeks.Sc. 1995 Duncan McLean Bunker Man 14:
She put one hand out to rest on his shoulder, and the other down to his spaver. Dundee 1996:
Nobody here is familiar with spare as meaning the fly-fastening or placket; we all call it a spaver - in common use.
