Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1775, 1920-1935, 1988
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BRANKS, n. pl.2 Also branx. “The mumps” (Cai.3 1931; Lth., Lnk. 1935 (per Lnk.3); Ayr.4 1928; m.Dmf.3 c.1920; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); “a swelling in the chops” (s.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Kcb.1 1935). [brɑŋks]Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. Ork. Par. (1922) 93:
Measles . . . like “branks” (mumps) and “nirls” (chicken-pox) [was] regarded as one of the inevitable ills of life.Fif.10 1935:
A' the bairns is doon wi' the branks.Gsw. 1775 in Bulletin (12 March 1935) 18/3:
Yes, mem, I've had the sma' pox, . . . the branks and the worm (tooth-ache).Wgt., Dmf. 1988 W. A. D. and D. Riach A Galloway Glossary :
branx 2. mumps.
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"Branks n. pl.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/branks_n_pl2>
