Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ANERIE, ANERY, “a term occurring in a rhyme of children, used for deciding the right of beginning a game” (Jam.2 for Lth. The rhyme he quotes begins “Anery, twäery, tickery, seven”). A similar rhyme begins:ne.Sc. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore of N.E. Scot. 172:
Anerie, twaarie, tickrie, ten [etc.].
