Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CARRICK, n. Cf. Shinty.
1. “The old name for the game of Shinty, Fife; still used in the eastern part of that county” (Fif. 1825 Jam.2). Known to Fif.10 1938. Sometimes used in pl. with def. art., see first quot.Fif. 1894 (2nd ed.) D. S. Meldrum Story of Margrédel ii.:
His interest in “the carricks,” . . . led him often on Willy's arm to the sands to see the “doe” hailed.Fif. 1909 Colville 127:
In their due season came bools, peeries, carrick, draigens (kites), girds.
Hence carrickin, “a meeting among the boys employed as herds, at Lammas, for playing at Shinty; on which occasion they have a feast” (Fif. 1825 Jam.2).
2. The stick, curved at one end, used in shinty.Fif. 1909 Colville 127:
The shinty term, carrick, I find to be quite local. It . . . properly applies to the stick used.
3. “The bat of wood driven by clubs, or sticks hooked at the lower end, in the game of Shintie” (Knr., Per. 1825 Jam.2).
[Prob. Gael. carraig, a knot of wood (Macleod and Dewar), see sense 3.]
