Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1703-1730, 1886-1914
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BAR(D)GE, BAIRGE, Bearg, n.1 Also berge. Gen. in pl. [′bɑrdʒ(əz) Sc.; ′berdʒəz Slg.]
1. “A movable shutter constructed with parallel boards that open and shut like a venetian blind; used in drying sheds” (Jam.6 1887 for w.Sc.).Ags. 1914 D.M.M. in T.S.D.C. I. 16:
Bairges, the open slats in a tanner's or currier's drying-shed.Slg.3 1914:
O! a' can see ye thro the bairges.
2. A slat of wood to protect windows, doors, etc., from rain or water flooding.Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Sc. Mining Terms:
Barges. Sheets of iron, zinc, or wood for shedding water aside in wet shafts or workings.Ags. 1729–1730 Old Local Documents in R. Finlayson Royal Burgh of Arbroath (1923) 46:
A water bearg to John Carnegy's door 0. 4. 0.Edb. 1703 Acc. Bk. Sir J. Foulis (S.H.S. 1894) 322:
To the 2 wrights for making 6 water bardges for windowes.
3. The main flashing on the breast of a chimney, a roofing apron (of lead or copper) (Sc. 1892 W. P. Buchan Plumbing 1, 1972 J. Hastings Plumber's Companion 38).
[Origin uncertain. Cf. Barge-board (N.E.D.), a board, often ornamental, running along the edge of the gable of a house, to conceal the barge-couples, and prevent rain from driving in under the projecting barge-course.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Barge n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bardge>
