Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1825-1840
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BANFF, BAMFF, n. (See first quot.) [bɑmf]Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
Banff. This good town, for what reason I cannot divine, seems to have been viewed rather in a contemptible light. Hence a variety of proverbs have originated. . . . All these suggest the idea of useless travel, or idle labour.Sc. 1840 C. Sinclair Sk. and Stories of Scot., etc. (n.d.) 332:
Bamff is proverbially alluded to by the Scotch as Coventry is in England. If one of the common people be angry at [sic] another, he exclaims in a tone of bitterness: "Go to Bamff!"Lth. 1825 Jam.2:
Gang to Banff, and bind bickers.w.Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
Gae to Banff, and buy bend-leather.
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"Banff n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/banff>
