Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†FORBES' HOUR, n.phr. Eleven p.m., the hour at which the sale of excisable liquors had to cease in licensed premises under the Forbes Mackenzie Act of 1853 (16 & 17 Vict. c. 67). Also in the abbreviated form Forbes.Rnf. 1870 J. Nicholson Idylls 114:
At Forbes' hour, eleven o'clock, We'll a' steer hame like dacent folk.Lnk. 1877 W. McHutchison Poems 183:
The clock, twa hours since, Forbes chappit.