A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Fery fary, n. Also: feré farie, ferie farye, feirie farie, farye, fearie fairie; firy fary, firie farie, furie farye. [Cf. Fary n. 2 and 3.] A state of confusion or bustle.1529 Lynd. Complaynt 292.
I haue no tyme … To schaw ȝow all the fery fary 1535 Stewart 46053.
To tell … war ouir grit tarie The fantasie and eik the ferie farye, … Wes maid that tyme at mariage of our king 1540 Lynd. Sat. 193 (B).
I haif bene in ane feryfary (Ch. feirie farie) Or ellis in till ane trans a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 238.
Cupido … I warye, Quha reft me, and left me In sic a furye farye [v.r. fere farie, feirie farie] 1641 Baillie Letters (1775) I. 285.
That chamber and table discourse, for argument, flum-flams, and fearie-fairies [v.r. fanfares] could not be treasons 1686 G. Stewart Joco-Serious Disc. 12.
Now what needs aw this feary fary?
