Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1790, 1844-1893
[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]
BOOL, n.3 "A contemptuous term for a man, especially if advanced in years. It is often conjoined with an epithet; as 'an auld bool,' an old fellow" (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bnff.2 1935).Ags. 1893 "F. Mackenzie" Cruisie Sketches xiii.:
"Ye're a lang-heided, auld bool, Geordie," the blacksmith affirmed with admiration.Edb. 1844 J. Ballantine Miller of Deanhaugh 116:
The auld bool is maybe as rich as a Nabob.Rnf. 1790 A. Wilson Poems 203:
Some said, he was a camsheugh bool, Nae yarn nor rapes cou'd haud him, Whan he got on his fleesome cowl, But may-be they misca'd him.
You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Bool n.3". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bool_n3>
