Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1886-1929
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UNDERHAND, adv., n. Sc. usages:
I. adv. In reserve (Ork. 1973). Cf. forrowhand s.v. Forrow, adv.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
I hae wan pair o' glasses for every day, but I keep anither underhand.
II. n. In phr. to have the underhand, to be in a weak or disadvantageous position. Only in Stevenson.Sc. 1886 Stevenson Kidnapped xii.:
I paid the less attention to this, for I knew it was usually said by those who have the underhand.Sc. 1889 Stevenson M. Ballantrae i.:
Those that have the underhand in any fighting.
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"Underhand adv., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/underhand>
