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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

COALIE-BACK, n.comb. Also collie-, -backie, -buckie, -bag, -cod. A pick-a-back, a ride on one's shoulders (Edb. (-back(ie)), Slk. (-cod) 1975; coalie-back Arg.; coalie buckie Edb.; collie-buckie Edb. 1990s). Hence collie-bag (-buckie) fight, a jostling or jousting by children mounted on the backs of others, a pick-a-back fight (Abd., Edb. 1969 I. & P. Opie Children's Games 219). For cod see Cod, n.1Sc. 2002 Edinburgh Evening News 16 Aug 20:
Other victims, now in their teens, described how he would expose himself while walking his dog, or allow his hands to stray as he gave them "coalie buckie" rides on his back.

[A child's alteration of Eng. coal-back, to carry coals on one's back, to be a coal-porter.]

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"Coalie-back n. comb.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snd00088403>

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