Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BLACKGUAIRD, -GUARD, -GAIRD, Blackyirt, Blagyerd, Blagyird, n. and v. Sc. forms of Eng. blackguard. [′blɑgerd Sc.; ′blɑgjɪrt Edb., ′blɑgjɪ̢rd Lnk., n.; blə′ge:rd, v.]

1. n.Bnff.(D) 1924 “Knoweheid” in Swatches o' Hamespun 40:
I have ordered that blackgaird to drap the han' o' my daachter.Edb. 1931 E. Albert Herrin' Jennie 150:
That auld blackyirt Bob.Ayr. 1901 G. Douglas Green Shutters xxv.:
I know I'm a blagyird.Wgt. 1880 G. Fraser Lowland Lore ii. 173:
Young Milwain appeart on the scene, an' gat into grups wi' the blagyerd.

2. v., tr. and intr. Sometimes with Eng. spelling, but with Sc. accentuation on second syllable.

(1) tr. To revile in scurrilous terms.Mry.², Bnff.² 1934:
She black-guairded me like a tinkler-wife.

(2) intr. To behave in a riotous fashion.Ayr. 1786 Burns Holy Fair ix.:
An' there, a batch of Wabster lads, Blackguarding frae K . . . . . ck.