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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BURDIEHOUSE, n. In phr. gae or gang to Burdiehouse, "a sort of malediction uttered by old people to one with whose conduct or language they are, or affect to be, greatly dissatisfied" (Sc. 1825 Jam.2). Cf. similar imprecations s.v. Banff, Bottle, v. (2), etc.

[Jam. says: "This seems to have been the old pronunciation of the name Bourdeaux in France. It is at any rate written Burdeouss, Abd. Reg. A. 1538 . . . and was probably aspirated by the vulgar in the pronunciation." O.Sc. has various forms for the name Bordeaux, including Burdious, Burdeawlis, from older Fr. Burdeau(l)x (D.O.S.T.).]

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"Burdiehouse n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/burdiehouse>

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