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.
Quotation dates: 1868-1922
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†EREFERNYEAR, n. Also eer-fern-yer, ere fairn year, ere fernyeir, ere faernyear. The year before last (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., ere fairn year; Kcb.3 1929, ere fernyeir; Sh.10 1950, obs.). [′e:rfɛrn′ji:r, ′i:rfɛrn′ji:r]wm.Sc. 1868 Laird of Logan App. 500:
He inquired . . . whether he ever saw any hares in his neighbourhood? "Ou, 'deed ay, sir; I saw ane fern-yeir, or ere fern-yeir, or the year before."Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 241:
"Du shörly minds eer-fern-yer," says Tammy, "aboot dis sam' time, whin da men o' Braken cam' vaan o' dir tows, an' wir nearly misförn takin' da String o' da Braagie."Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 138:
Feth hits better dat as ta hae dem ta poo da e'e o'm oot an set aff ta da hill, an da e'e o' man niver ta see dem mair, da sam wye at Tamy's anes guid erefern year. [The form ere faernyear appears on p. 13.]
