Smearcase
/ˈsmɪrˌkeɪs/noun
A Scottish and Northern English word for cottage cheese or curds.
Did you know?Smearcase is a traditional Scots/Northern English dialect word, and its first element likely refers to the soft, spreadable texture of the curds rather than anything mystical.
Etymological Timeline
Old English / Old Norse period
Germanic
smēre / smyrja + case
“A smear or soft spreading substance + a container or casing; the exact formation is dialectal and partly uncertain.”
Middle English
English
smerecase / smearcase
“A soft cheese or curd cheese, especially in northern dialects.”
Early Modern Scots
Scots
smearcase
“Cottage cheese or a fresh curd cheese.”
Modern English
English
smearcase
“A regional dialect word for cottage cheese, now rare.”