Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1985-2000
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OAR, n. Sc. comb.: oary boat, also oarry boat. A rowing boat.Gsw. 1985 Michael Munro The Patter 51:
oary boat A rowing boat: 'Ma Daddy took us tae Queen's Park for a shot in an oary boat.'Sc. 1989 Scots Magazine Apr 9:
One story told was of a typical family of Paw, Maw, Maggie and wee Jimmie out in the bay in an 'oarry' boat.Sc. 2000 Herald 14 Aug 16:
... any one of Britain's Hardy Sons whose grandpa once took an oary boat out on Hogganfield Loch and fancies he has half an ounce of salt water in his or her veins can, finances permitting, buy themselves the largest yacht on the market and take to the sea without so much as a bus ticket.Sc. 2000 Herald 24 Sep 3:
A bunch of guys splashing about in an oary-boat.
Sc. phr. to pit aa oars in the water, to make every effort, to do one's utmost (Abd.7 1925).
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"Oar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 20 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/oar>
