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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CURNIE, n. “A nursery-term for the little finger” (Fif. 1825 Jam.2). Also curnie-wurnie, id. Known to our Fif. correspondents 1941.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xxxiii.:
Between his waistcoat pouch an' a buttonhole there dangled a chain o' the same colour an' quality, an' as grit as my curnie-wurnie.Fif.13 1941:
The ba' hit me on the curnie.

[Phs. a met. form of Crannie, n.2, or from Curn, n.1, q.v.]

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