Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

BALLI(E), BAALIE, n. (See quots.) [′bɑli]Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.:
Baalie, a thick cake.Sh.⁵ 1932:
Baalie, known to old people in Shetland.s.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Balli, small cake of barley- or oat-meal.s.Sh. 1933 (per Sh.⁴):
Ballie means a thick oatmeal cake (small in diameter) baked specially for the younger members of the family. “Hae, peerie lass, here's de a ballie.”

Comb.: melloin- or mellins-balli. (See quot.)s.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Melloin- or mellins-b[alli] = the last and smallest of the cakes baked at one time. [So called because made from the mellins or crumbs.]