A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1535-1650
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Throt-cuttar, -cut(t)er, Throat-cutter, n. Also: throit-, -cuttare. [Throt(e n. and Cuttar n.] A cut-throat, murderer. Also in fig. context. 1535 Stewart 43073.
Quhair mony theif and revar in the tyme, Of throt-cutteris and all sic cursit cryme … Abundant wer 1567 Satirical Poems vii 171.
To huirmaisters, to murderers of kingis, To throtcutters our realme was made subiect 1570 Bann. Memor. 72.
This day Johne Knox … openlie called me a murtherer and a throtcuter 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 72.
Gif the committar had bene a man without God, a throat-cutter 1570 Canongate Ct. Bk. 191.
Convict … of the iniuring of Williame Lamb and his spous calling him ane commoun theif throtcuttar and his spous commoun huir 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 81.
Whair he complenis that I called him oppin traytour, vnmerciefull murtherer and a plane throat-cuttare 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 128.
The strongest throatcutteris of the Hamiltones going planelie vpon Edinburgh calsay a1585 Polwart Flyt. 783 (H).
Lick butter, throat cutter, fishe gutter, fill the fetter! 1587 Reg. Privy C. IV 208.
Thay secreitlie houndit oute ane grite nowmer of throitcuttaris to have umbesett the said James way 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 406.
Quha entres not in the scheipfauld be the dur, is ane theif and throtcutter c1610 Melville Mem. 324.
I wald get ma honnest men to tak my part, then he wald get throtcutters to assist him c1650 Spalding I 285.
Thay war gairdit and convoyit be soldiouris as throtcutteris and mvrtheraris
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"Throt-cuttar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/throt_cuttar>
