Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CURN, n.² A currant (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., 1941 (per Lnk.¹¹); Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.). Also found in n.Eng. dial. (E.D.D.). Hence curny, adj “containing currants” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); also used ellipt. = currant loaf. Lnk.¹¹ (1941) gives curnybanna as a delicacy, something between a currant loaf and a Black Bun, q.v. Cf. Curran.Rxb.(D) 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes an Knowes 13:
A made a faisable mael oot o pei-soop . . . wui twae rake o curny-dumpleen owre-an-abuin.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Gie's a bit curny.

Comb. curn-bap, a currant loaf (Sh. 1975).Hdg. 1908 J. Lumsden The Loudons 115: 
Pies, curn-baps, an' plates o' whangs o' cheese!