Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CARSACKIE, CARSECKIE, CURSECKIE, CORSACKIE, Cor'-secky, Corn-sacky, Kersecky, Kerseckie, Kirseckie, Kersikie, n. [′kɑr-, ′kʌr-, ′kɔr-, ′kɪr-, -′sɑkɪ, -′sekiɪ, -′sɪkɪ]
‡1. An overall, a pinafore; “a short blouse usually of striped cloth worn by labourers” (Ags.9 1926, carseckie; Rnf. c.1892 in Scotsman (4 Jan. 1912), kersikie; Ayr. c.1872 in Ib. (6 Jan.), curseckie); “a make of linen jacket worn at work, being pulled over the head and tied at the neck as required” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., curseckie; Arg.1 1929; w.Dmf. 1925 W. A. Scott in Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 21, cor'-secky, corn-sacky); a male worker's jacket tight at the neck, wrists and waist to keep out dust (Abd. 1960s). Known to Ags.17, Slg.3 (for Mry., e.Lth., Rnf., Ayr.), Lnk.3, Arg.1 1938.Mry. 1912 A.F. in Scotsman (6 Jan.):
“It's far too wide; it's like a ‘kerseckie' on you,” she says, if a jacket or blouse happens to be made on the large side.Fif. 1887 “S. Tytler” Logie Town I. iv.:
I have not altogether fixed on the check for the boys' kirseckies.Edb. 1912 “Anither Auld Scot” in Scotsman (4 Jan.):
“Corsackie” . . . was a man's outdoor summer jacket or blouse, made of loosely woven cotton light sackcloth.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 171:
They had on a coorse kind of carsackie owre their claes.Rxb. 1920 Kelso Chron. (18 June):
A small slight boy of 12, whose one prominent article of clothes was a “kersecky” — possibly out of fashion now.
†2. “A bedgown, worn by females” (Fif. 1825 Jam.2).
[? Mid.Du. kasack(e), cloak, linen garment, worn by men or women (Kilian), It. casacca, Fr. casaque, Ger. kasack, of uncertain origin. The r of the first element is perhaps to be accounted for by association with Eng. kersey, coarse woollen cloth (O.Sc. carsay, cairsay).]
