Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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BLUE NOSE, n. An opprobrious term among Roman Catholics for a Protestant (Fif., wm.Sc. 1975), ? from blue as the colour of the Presbyterians. Cf. true blue s.v. True. Comb. bluenose, contemptuous term for Rangers Football Club supporter or for a Protestant.Gsw. 1991 John Burrowes Mother Glasgow 212:
Sammy could see that riled McDonald and he remembered his father's reputation as one of the staunchest Blue Noses in the Force. In an organisation like the Glasgow Police, that was saying something.Gsw. 1999 Paul Foy in Moira Burgess and Donny O'Rourke New Writing Scotland 17: Friends and Kangaroos 48:
...he looks a bit uneasy fur a minute an asks if A took it but A reassure him that A'm a blue-nose and he looks relieved...Sc. 2000 Herald 8 Nov 37:
It was one of those chill, crisp November nights when we remembered why Bluenoses are blue. The current batallion of Ibrox aficionados have rightly received credit for their backing on European nights, ...Sc. 2002 Press and Journal 7 Dec 14:
This is why I am confident that I will still be hearing tales of my media colleagues in Glasgow, one of whom, a rabid bluenose, was strolling down Sauchiehall Street one afternoon a couple of Christmases ago and spotted a nun rattling a collecting tin.Sc. 2003 Sunday Mail 27 Apr 45:
Before you write me off as Bluenose, I have a daughter married to a Catholic, and when we lived in the Canadian Arctic I played the organ in the RC mission in the morning and the organ in the Anglican mission in the afternoon.Sc. 2003 Herald 20 Nov 38:
There was at least one shaft of humour with Vogts this week. It came when some of us were attempting to prise his Scotland team from him for last night's game, and he immediately became very secretive. "I'm not telling you my team - some of you are very close to Dick Advocaat," said Vogts. "I know, some of you are bluenoses, yes?"Sc. 2004 Daily Star 10 Sep 8:
Apparently the Gers' bad start to the season has made their fans sick.
Literally. Boffins have been looking at Old Firm fans' health and discovered that Bluenoses are really suffering. Long-suffering, some might say.