Mocher

English

Alternative forms

• mochre
• mucher

Etymology

Apparently a variant of moger. Recorded in Scots dialect sources.

Pronunciation

• /ˈmɔxər/, /ˈmʌxər/

Verb

mocher (third-person singular mochers, present participle mochering, past tense mochered, past participle mochered)

1. (Scots) To busy oneself with matters of little importance; to potter about; to work aimlessly, confusedly, or without clear direction.
   • Example: It's a lang hard road to travel when you mochre on yersel'.
2. (Scots, of cattle) To graze in rich or specially reserved pasture.
   • Example: The cattle of Libster muchered there in the summer and harvest seasons about the hill of Rugie.
3. (Scots) To give an animal special feeding, especially a cow before milking; to pet or pamper with tasty food.
   • Example: When the cow was herded in some nice corner, it was mochered.

Usage notes

The sense referring to idle or aimless activity appears historically in northern Scots dialects and is now largely literary or archaic.

References

• "Mocher v." Dictionary of the Scots Language. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd., 2004.
• <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/mocher>