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.
BARLEY-PICKLE, -PECKLE, n. A grain of barley; the topmost grain on an ear of barley. [′bɑrl-′pɪk()l + ′pkl]
1. lit.Edb. c.1869 J. Smith Peggy Pinkerton's Recollections (1878) 8:
The sweat rinnin' doun his face like barley-pickles.Edb.3 1929:
Barley-pickle. Grain of barley. Children chanted a rhyme to anyone named Nicol: Wullie Nicol Barley Pickle.Lnk. 1887 A. Wardrop Mid-Cauther Fair 220:
No a barley peckle to be seen [in the kail].
2. fig.Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet xx.:
But it's the barley-pickle breaks the naig's back.
