Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1891-1929
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BLOT, n. Water prepared for washing clothes, sowens, potatoes, etc.; also the actual process. The pl. form is very common and indicates the dirty soapsuds after use.Sh.(D) 1891 J. J. H. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 45:
Shü taks a tub o soapy blots, An swabs da ben-room oot.Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 64:
Shü ran da denner tatties oot o' da kishie an' inta da tub ta gie dem da first blot.Ork. 1913 J. Firth in Old-Lore Misc., Ork., Sh., etc. VI. ii. 87:
A blot (wash), strong with soap and soda, was prepared in the big “platting tub” . . . and the claith being immersed in this was tramped upon by some barefooted lass.Ork.(D) 1929 J. S. Leask in Peace's Ork. Almanac 137:
Gae'd a swill an' lit oot a air o' da hate, an' da blots'll mak' da tattas grou am seur.
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"Blot n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/blot_n>
