Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CARLIE, n.1 Dim. form of Carle, n.1, q.v., used with humorous, sympathetic or depreciatory force. Also attrib. Known to Bnff.2, Abd., Ags. and Fif. correspondents (1938).Abd.(D) 1788 J. Skinner Christmass Bawing xx. in Caled. Mag. 502:
But waes my heart for Petry Gibb, The Carlie's head was scawt.Per. 1895 R. Ford Tayside Songs 147:
I think I see the carlie yet — Auld cripple John, the candyman.Bwk. 1873 Lady John Scott Songs and Verses (1911) 155:
We'll ding down the usurpin' carlie, An fling him beneath your feet!Ayr. 1822 Galt Sir. A. Wylie I. v.:
Andrew . . . settled into a little gash carlie, remarkable chiefly for a straight forward simplicity.
