Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
COCKIELEERIE, Cockleerie, n. Also in comb. cockie-leerie-law, cockaleerie-law, cockoleary-lay, cock-a-lee-a-law.
1. “The sound made by a cock in crowing” (Sc. 1808 Jam., cockieleerie; Abd.2, Lnl.1 1936; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 140, cockoleary-lay).Bnff. 1880 J. F. S. Gordon Chrons. of Keith 159:
This was a favourite Rendezvous for bird-nesting, climbing the trees . . . even spidering up the chimneys, crowing at the top Cockaleerie-law.
2. Applied to the cock itself (Bnff.2, Fif.10 1936; Edb.2 1929, cockie-leerie-law; Arg.2 1936, cock-a-lee-a-law).Ags. 1880 Arbroath Guide (9 Oct.) 4/4:
An', lang ere cockieleerie crew, They a' wan till Auchmithie.Lnk. 1881 D. Thomson Musings 118:
But when Cockleerie 'rose tae craw, They took the road.
