Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BARR'S CAT, n. (See second quot.)wm.Sc. 1835 Laird of Logan I. 93:
It's a wee weak i' the wauw, like Barr's cat, that ale o' yours.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 49:
It was a very large monster of a bawdrons, that was known about the farm of Barr, in the parish of Pennigame, about sixty years ago: . . . the size of it became proverbial all over the country, and every thing larger than it should be, was said to be a rouser, like Barr's Cat.