Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DAUGH, DAUCH, DAUK, ¶Dack, n. Soft coaly fireclay, esp. when found associated with a coal-seam (Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Sc. Mining Terms 23; Fif. 1931 Economic Geol. Fife Coalfields, Area II., Gl. in Memoirs Geol. Survey Scot.; Fif.10 1940; Edb.6 1944, Lnk. 1793 D. Ure Hist. Rutherglen and E. Kilbride 289); “clay prepared for making bricks” (Sc. 1912 J. Reith in Scotsman (19 Jan.)). [dǫ:x]m.Lth. 1767 Session Papers, Petition Earl of Abercorn (30 June) 13:
We found the coal to measure about four feet thick, including a stone or hard dack in the middle of it.Bte. 1807 J. Headrick Arran 217:
The dauch which separates the two seams of coal is arranged . . . like the back-bone of a fish.Gsw. 1920 Memoirs Geol. Survey Scot. 59:
The leaves of coal are 4 and 14½ in. in thickness, with a 13-in. parting of dark blaes. At Titwood Colliery the latter is replaced by 4 in. of “daugh,” separating 9 in. and 14 in. of coal.Dmf. 1843-5 Trans. Highl. Soc. 293:
4th Coal is named the dauk coal. It is about 3½ feet thick, having a roof of coarse sandstone.Dmf. 1939 in Dmf. Standard (6 Dec.):
Mony a bonny cart o' coals Has got a wee bit daugh in't.
Also used in a trans. sense of something which estranges friends, a quarrel, a coolness (Fif. 1933).
[Origin doubtful. Cf. etym. note to Dalk. The word, however, may be an extension of meaning of O.Sc. dauch, daugh, dough, although these forms are not found later than 1629 (D.O.S.T.).]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Daugh n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 3 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/daugh>
