Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1742, 1877-1931
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OFFTAK, n., v. Also offtake. See also Afftak.
I. n. A scoffer, mocker, one who takes others off by ridicule (Bnff., Fif., Kcb. 1964).Arg.2 1931:
He was aye a bit o' an offtak aa his days.
II. v. 1. As ppl.adj.: scoffing, jeering, mocking, sarcastic (Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 16). Gen.Sc. Cf. Afftakin, adj.Wgt. 1877 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 285:
Serve him right . . . for he's an off-taking vagabond.Dmf. 1927 J. Mothersole Roman Scot. 261:
They was a' off-takin' kind of fowk, they Carlyles; they'd take ye off, blunt-like.Arg.2 1931:
He'll hae tae get rid o' thae offtakin weys o' his; they'll only bring 'im ill-wull an trouble.
2. As vbl.n.; taking off, removal.Abd. 1742 Powis Papers (S.C.) 285:
To ordering the bands offtaking and on-putting the same on the Entry Gate of the big Lodgeing . . . 6s. 0d.
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"Offtak n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 8 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/offtak>
