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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

SOBER, adj. Also sowber (Abd. 1923 Banffshire Jnl. (8 May) 10). Sc. form and usages:

1. Of persons or animals: small, slightly-built, insignificant, unsubstantial (Sc. 1808 Jam.; ne.Sc., Ags. 1971).Abd. 1877 W. Alexander Rural Life 69, 178:
The cattle they reared of their own native breed being too “sober” for the yoke. . . . The weaver, a “sober bodie” whom either of them could have put hors de combat by a single blow of his fist.Abd. 1956 G. S. Morris Bothy Ballads I. 27:
Oor bailie's sober, thin and sma', Sideways he's hardly seen ava.

2. Fig. Poor, mean, paltry, poverty-stricken, unprosperous, miserable (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis; ne.Sc. 1971). Adv. soberly, sparingly, frugally (Sc. 1825 Jam.). Obs. in Eng.Rs. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XVII. 343:
It requires the utmost exertion of his industry to afford a maintenance, very sober indeed, to his family.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
A sober servant, a very indifferent one.Sc. 1811 Farmers' Mag. (Aug.) 376:
If only half a peck of potatoes is given each night, (and this is a sober feed to a working horse).Knr. 1891 H. Haliburton Ochil Idylls 140:
A simmer's evenin' glory fa's Upon his hamestead's sober wa's.Abd. 1921 Swatches o' Hamespun 16:
Thin sowens bodet sober health, an' a sober crap.Abd. 1959 People's Jnl. (1 Aug.):
Some gey sober crappies o' neeps.

3. Of persons: in poor or only moderate health, so-so, ailing, sickly, weak (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 267; ne.Sc., Ags., Per. 1971).Per. 1894 I. Maclaren Brier Bush 255:
Hoo's the gudewife? a' doot she's sober.Mry. 1965 Stat. Acc.³ 292:
A person who is “gey sober” is an under-statement for one seriously ill.