Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

OFFCOME, n. See also Affcome.

1. An excuse, pretext, subterfuge, evasion, a way of avoiding or getting out of a difficulty or awkward situation (Sc. 1825 Jam.).Sc. 1717 R. Wodrow Corresp. (1843) II, 270:
The offcome of the Presbytery was, that he wavered so in his answers, that they behoved to set them down in write.Sc. 1721 R. Wodrow Sufferings iii. xi. s. 2:
The king signifies That . . . he meant “Such of them as did not take the Test, or any other Oath”; which is a silly Stretch and Offcome.Sc. 1819 Scott Bride of Lamm. xxvi:
A gude offcome, prudently and creditably handled, may serve a nobleman and his family, Lord kens how lang!

2. A good or bad result, the way in which a thing works out (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; s.Sc. 1964).Sc. 1901 Blackwood's Mag. (Aug.) 197:
There were others . . . who chuckled at Rab's successful off-come.