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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SMARRACH, n., v. Also smar(r)ich, -och. [′smɑrəx]

I. n. 1. A confused crowd or collection, freq. of children (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 169; Abd. 1930 Press and Jnl. (22 April); Bnff., Abd. 1970), a group of persons huddled together in some secret conversation or activity (Bnff. 1880 Jam.). Dim. smarichy.Abd. 1912 J. Stephen Donside Lilts 37:
I've a smarroch on my han' For which I maun provide.Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 64:
Some idder body will help ye wi' th' smarichy o' geets.Abd. 1944 Scots Mag. (Feb.) 370:
A smarrach o' barfit geets.m.Sc. 1998 Lillias Forbes Turning a Fresh Eye 18:
They'll aye come for ye, loupin oot their kists
Een bleezin as het coals,
Corbies wi knablick nebs,
Stookie saunts o the kirk,
Queer wizzent carls an quines
An a hail smarrich o Stuarts.

2. A lazy and unskilled attempt at work, a bungled or mismanaged job (Gregor).

3. The act of eating on the sly, a secret feast (Gregor).

II. v. 1. To crowd together confusedly. to “swarm” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 169).

2. To work in a feeble, awkward way, to labour without system or skill (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 169). Ppl.adj. smarrichin, inefficient, bungling, lacking in skill and energy (Ib.).

3. To indulge in secret eating, to nibble on the sly (Gregor). Ppl.adj. smarrichin, greedy, fond of food (Ib.).