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: 1964
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FORE-OAR, n. One of the first pair(s) of oars in a sixern, hence transf., one of the two top couples in a Whalsay reel (Sh. 1975).Sh. 1964 J. & T. Flett Social Dancing 206:
The two top couples in this Whalsay Reel were always known on the island as "the fore-oars," while the bottom couple were said to be "in the hole." . . . The "hole", or "shott-hole" was the compartment furthest aft [in the sixern].
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"Fore-oar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snd00088798>
