A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1531-1598
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Sport(o)ur, n. Also: sportar(e, -er. [17th c. Eng. sporter (1611); Sport v.] One who amuses or entertains others, a joker; a (court) jester or fool. 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 184.
He had nane sa familiar to him as fydlaris, rutouris, huremasteris, & sportouris, traisting all thingis to succede wele be gouernance of sik vyle creaturis a1538 Abell 20b.
Eweyne … wes familiar with sporturis hurmasteris and bardis 1540 Lynd. Sat. 176.
I am ane sportour and playfeir To that ȝung king 1563 G. Hay Confutation Abbot Crosraguel 65.
I pray thee indifferent reader considder the craft of this sportar in … decking up them, quhose authorities he is efter to abuse a1585 Polwart Flyt. 677 (T).
Thy speich but purpois, sporter, is espyit, That wreitis of wichis, warlochis & of wratches 1587 Treasurer's Accounts MS 68.
To Alexander Leslie sportare … xl li. 1595 Mill Mediæval Plays 282.
Thomas Cargill to declair his publick repentance … becaus … he gawe him self owt for a full and prophane sporter walking in a foolische garment and playing the counterfet man 1596 Dalr. II 14/15.
He labouris to put ane ordour in the realme be dryueng out all impediment. He causes thairfor to seik out … all persounis, minstrelis, gemsteris, sportouris, gyuen till ydlenes 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 197/6.
Abuse not youre self in making youre sporters youre counsaillourisproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 554.
He is a spurgald sporter
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"Sportur n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/sportour>
