Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BLICHAN, BLICHEN, Blicham, Blichin, Blichim, Blecham, n. “In general a term of abuse or contempt” (Ags.² 1934). Lit. and fig. [′blɪçən, ′blɪçəm]

1. “A contemptuous designation for a person” (Ags.² 1934; Per. 1808 Jam., blicham).Ags. 1891 Brechin Advert. (22 Sept.) 3:
Ah, little did the blecham think That he'd be there afore her.Lth. 1825 Jam.²:
“He's a puir blichan.” “You! ye're a bonny blichen indeed to pretend sic a thing!”Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick xvii.:
I hae wit eneuch to see through a blichan o' a la'yer, onyway!Peb. 1836 J. Affleck Poet. Wks. 111:
There's no sic a blichim 'twixt Ayr and Dundee, As the velveteen hero ca'd Jamie Brownlee.

2. A lean, worn-out, worthless animal or person.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 75; Kcb.⁹ 1935, obsol.:
Blichan. A person useless for any thing.Dmf. 1825 Jam.²:
An auld blichen o' a beast. Also, a worthless fellow.

3. ‡(1) “A spark; a lively, shewy young man” (Lth. 1825 Jam.²).

(2) “A harum-scarum fellow” (Lnk. Ib.).Kcb.⁴ c.1900:
Blichin, a lighthearted person given to frivolity.