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.
Quotation dates: 1779-1826
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†CAPSTRIDE, v.
1. "To drink in place of another, to take the vessel containing liquor, when it is going round, instead of him to whom it belongs" (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., obs.).Rxb. 1825 Proverb (quoted in Jam.2):
Better be cuckold than capstridden.
2. "To anticipate or perform beforehand the work of (a person)" (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., obs.).Lnk. c.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 59:
I have mony, mony a time, heard thy honest father say, that never a ane wad do well that cap-strided the kirk.Rxb. 1826 A. Scott Poems 39:
For cuttin' drains, Or boxin' hedges, or for cuttin', too, Machin'ry yet shall capstride me an' you.
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"Capstride v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 9 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/capstride>
