Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1706, 1768-1825
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BUN, Bunn, n.2
1. “The tail of a rabbit or hare” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., obs.; Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.; Uls.2 1929).Sc. 1706 Bonny Heck in J. Watson Choice Collection (1869) I. 69:
I grip't the Mackings be the Bunns, or be the Neck.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 27:
Roused by the rumblin noise, poor maukin takes The bent, wi' nimble foot — and scudding, cocks Her bun.
†2. The seat.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Rock and the Wee Pickle Tow xvii.:
Of coat raips well cut by the cast o' their bun, They never sought mair o' the spinning o't.Dmf. 1825 Jam.2:
Bun is used in Dumfries as synon. with bum, with this distinction, that bun is applied to a young person, bum to an old.
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"Bun n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bun_n2>
