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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FINGERIN(G), n. Also †fingrine (Sc. 1707 G. Miege Pres. State Gt. Brit. II. 24), †fingram, -rom. [′fɪŋ(ə)rɪn]

1. A kind of worsted, originally “spun of combed wool, on the small wheel, as distinguished from wheelin, which is worsted spun on the large wheel, from wool not combed, but merely carded” (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Gen.Sc. Now also in St.Eng. Sometimes extended to apply to anything of fine quality. Comb. fingering breid, "a better quality of oatcake, finely baked and toasted, thin and brittle, for a farmer's own table" (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.). See 1922 quot.Abd. 1851 W. Anderson Rhymes 133:
But we had a class wha, wi' manners jocose, Wore cassimere knee-breeks and white fing'rin' hose.Abd. 1889 Bon-Accord (9 Feb.) 21:
About 40 spindles of Strong 4-Ply Fingering Worsted to be sold at 2d per cut.Abd. 1922 Abd. Wkly. Free Press (7 Jan.):
I am afraid that Jean made her cakes rather too “fingerin',” or of the quality that found favour in the parlour at Clinkstyle, and we all “made short wark o't.”Mry.⁴ 1931:
The wool she wanted was Scotch fingering, and in some parts it is called “hannin.”

2. A kind of woollen cloth made from the above (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Now only hist.Sc. 1702 Records Conv. Burghs (1880) 329:
The convention appoynts the several burghs to put the lawes and acts of parliament to vigorous executione within thair respective jurisdiction anent the right makeing of plaiden, fingrams and stockins.Sc. 1733 P. Lindsay Interest Scot. 105:
At Aberdeen, and Countries adjacent, large Quantities of our own coarse tarred Wooll are manufactured into coarse Serges, called Fingrams, and knit Stockings of all Prices.Abd. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XIX. 203:
In the beginning of this century, the woollen manufactures of Aberdeenshire were chiefly coarse slight cloths, called plaidens and fingroms, which were sold from 5d to 8d per ell.