Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1852-1955
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TARLOCH, n., adj., v. Also tarlach, -logh; ¶terlyach. [′tɑrləx; Nai. ′terljəx]
I. n. Of persons or animals: a small weak or worthless creature (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 190, Bnff., Ayr. 1880 Jam., occas. also of things; Bnff., Abd. 1972); "a silly, inactive girl" (Abd. 1825 Jam.); a coarse, ragged, sluttish woman (Sc. 1825 Jam., "commonly applied to beggars and the lowest people"); a diminutive person or child (Abd. 1910); a contemptible fellow (Nai. 1930, terlyach).Abd. 1878 W. Walker Life A. Jolly 30:
John had previously spoken of Mr Jolly as an "eeseless tarlach."Lnk. 1881 D. Thomson Musings 44:
Tae loup like a cock at a grosset May dae unco weel for some tarlochs.Abd. 1920 A. Robb MS. x.:
My man's nae like naebody's man — a guid for naething feckless tarloch.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick xxvi.:
Faar cud 'at tarlach o' a laadie Daavitie be?
II. adj. 1. Weak, peevish (Ayr. 1811 W. Aiton Agric. Ayr. 693).
2. Slow to eat food, squeamish (Sc. 1825 Jam.).
3. Of weather: unpleasant, stormy (w.Lth. 1825 Jam., a tarlogh day).Mry. 1852 A. Christie Mountain Strains 18:
Cauld Februar, that tarlach tyke, Wi' black or white aye fills the dyke.
III. v. 1. To go about in a lazy manner (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 190).
2. To show symptoms of sickness (Id.).
[O.Sc. tarloch, = I., 1603. Connection with Gael. tàrlaid, a serf, a contemptible creature, is uncertain.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Tarloch n., adj., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Aug 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/tarloch>
