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: 1888
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¶UNDERHALF, n. Also unnerhalf. An inferior part, lesser portion. Fig. in quot. = husband, and formed jocular on analogy with Eng. better-half.Gall. 1888 G. G. B. Sproat Rose o' Dalma Linn 103:
O! sic a' like wife, wi' her heid in the air, As she's luggin' her unnerhalf hame frae the fair.
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"Underhalf n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/underhalf>
