Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1731
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¶HOBSHANKS, n.pl. Legs, thighs. Found only in the traditional proclamation of the annual fair at Langholm, Dumfriesshire (see J. & R. Hyslop Langholm (1912) 557).Dmf. 1731 Gentleman's Mag. I. 123:
He shall have his Lugs tacked to the muckle Trone, with a Nail of twal a Penny, untill he down of his Hobshanks, and up with his muckle Doaps, and pray to Hea'n, neen times God bless the King.
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"Hobshanks n. pl.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Aug 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hobshanks>
