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: 1901
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ERSIT, adj. Stubborn, perverse (Kcb. correspondents 1950).Gall. 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 66:
"Deein!" she cry't. "Joost like him, the ersit cuddy! If A wantit him dead he wud leeve till he wus auler nor M'Thusalem!"
Hence ersitness, n., obstinacy (Kcb. c.1908 (per Kcb.6)).
[Erse, n.1 + reduced form of -ward, backward, perverse: cf. obs. Eng. arseward and Arset. A different phonological development has produced Essart, q.v.]
