Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1878
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CLUE, n. Variant of Eng. clew, a ball of wool. See also Cloo, n. Sc. usages: 1. An unworkable piece of sandstone dug out in quarrying (Ags. 1953).
2. Fig. Amassed wealth, gathered money, property, etc.Per. 1878 R. Ford Hame-spun Lays 106:
But my auld gutcher's dead, an' has left me his clue.
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"Clue n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snd00088398>
