Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

IR, v. A variant spelling of are, pres. indic. pl. of Be, q.v., esp. in unstressed position. Gen.Sc. Also irr (Arg., Rnf., Ayr. 1958), er (s.Sc. 1929 Sc. Readings (Paterson) 46), and neg. irna (Cai., wm.Sc. 1958). It ir'ra, lit., that are they, they are indeed! (Ayr. 1874 A. Hislop Sc. Anecdotes 116).Slk. 1835 Hogg Wars Montrose I. 267:
“Are a' his bare hurdied clans muntit on horses?” “Ay, that they ir, John.”Rxb. 1871 H. S. Riddell Poet. Wks. II. 91:
The younger they ir they're the waur.Abd. 1877 G. Macdonald M. of Lossie lviii.:
An' wha ir ye for a fudgie-fisher, to gi'e coonsel ohn speired?Sh. 1918 T. Manson Peat Comm. I. 57:
Weel, my jewel at ye ir, we're hed a boanie run.Rxb. 1921 Kelso Chron. (25 Nov.) 2:
They sood widen the brig whan they irr at it.Cai. 1928 John o' Groat Jnl. (10 Feb.):
Ir ye no' feelan yir banes crackan wi' 'e rheumatics?

Interrog. phrs.: 1. ir de, is there? are there? (Sh. 1958); see also The; 2. ir ee, = will you, please? (Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 12).1. Sh. 1914 Angus Gl. 68:
Tinks du ir de ony wird a dis war comin till an end?2. Rxb.⁵ 1947:
Faither, tak' us teh sei the Greens (the local Rugby team) this efternune, ir ee?