Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1896-1956
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BACK-LYIN', adj.
1. Having a northern and therefore bleak exposure.Abd.2 1932:
Northbrae is a cauld back-lyin' placie, an' Northie is nearhan' an 'ouk ahin' a' ither body wi' his hairst.
2. In arrears.Bnff.2 1932:
Rossie canna pey the half o's debts, to say nithing o' the back-lyin' rents.Dmf. 1956:
A man who came to pensionable age wouldn't apply for it for several years, but when he did apply to get the back-lyin money an' aa.
3. Remote, far-off. Gall. a.1897 R. Ringan's Plewman Cracks 8:
On the edge o a backlyin' muir.
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"Back-lyin' adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/backlyin>
