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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1720

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†SWARBIT, n. In imprecatory phr. Deil swarbit on, the Devil's curse on, the Devil forbid . . .! (see note).Abd. c.1720 R. Chambers Jests (1832) 128:
I was praying 'Deil swarbit on him!' Deil swarbit is a bitter execration, peculiar to Buchan, Meston's native district.

[O.Sc. swarbett, id., 1597, E.M.E. swarbout, a corruption of [God']s forbote, God's forbidding, O.E. forbod, a forbidding, prohibition. See Sarbit.]

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