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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BLAFF, n. and v.

1. n.

(1) Blast, bang.Abd. 1996 Sheena Blackhall Wittgenstein's Web 52:
He wis jist drivin intae Steenhive fin it happened. Aa o a sudden there wis a muckle blaff frae the airt o Aiberdeen. Syne, there wis a blinnin fire-flaucht.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables R. Cummell 154:
A bitter wind was blawing doon the gate wi' unco blaffs and thuds.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
The gun gaed off wi' a blaff.

fig. Crash.Kcb. 1894 S. R. Crockett Raiders ii.:
Many the time, also, that I have fallen with an unco blaff because I have neglected to heed his warnings.

(2) Stroke, touch (of the sun).m.Sc. 1927 J. Buchan Witch Wood 186:
Ye've got a blaff o' the sun.

2. v. “To ‘bang'” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.).Kcb. 1894 S. R. Crockett Raiders vii.:
Pistols . . .'ll be gaun blaffin' aff when there's mair need to be as quiet as an ashleaf.