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: 1721, 1843-1870, 1923-1936
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BUFF, v.1 and n.1
1. v. †(1) tr. and intr. To stuff (of furniture); to puff out (gen. of the cheeks).Slg. 1721 Extracts from Records of The Royal Burgh of Stirling (1880) 4 Nov.:
To cause Buff the magistrats and councillours seatts in the church.Edb. 1843 J. Ballantine Gaberlunzie's Wallet viii.:
Town-drummer Tam, wi's drummie ruffin', Town-beagle Bob, wi's cheeckies buffin'.
(2) "To laugh aloud" (Sc. 1808 Jam.); to burst (into laughter).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Hei buff't oot inti a laugh.Rxb.(D) 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes an Knowes 11:
Away ei birrlt, still buffin an smudgin inti eis sel.
2. n. The lungs. Often in pl. Also dim. buffies, "the lungs of an animal" (Kcb.4 c.1900).m.Sc. 1870 J. Nicholson Idylls o' Hame 89:
When yer ain buffs begin to blaw less free, Wheezlin' wi' age, ye'll aiblins think o' me!Lth. and Lnk. 1936 (per Lnk.3):
Dogs are often given buff to eat.
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"Buff v.1, n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 10 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/buff_v1_n1>
