Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1773-1823
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BACKS, n.1 Also bax. The refuse of flax, wool, etc.Ags. 1773 Arbroath T.C. Mins. MS. (2 Sept.):
Lint Bax & Hemp Bax.Ayr. 1823 C. K. Sharpe Ballad Book 25:
Tell her I will gee her Four punds, and spin a' the Backs mysel'.
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"Backs n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/backs_n1>
