Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FINNER, n.2 †1. An analogical variant of Finnock, the sea-trout.Inv. 1803 Trans. Highl. Soc. 377:
The whitling and the finner, or finnoc, have been supposed by many to be young salmon. This is, however, not the case.Ib. 378:
Finners, or finnocs, which usually abound in every salmon river, have fins of a yellow colour.
¶2. Generically applied to any fish.Bnff. 1850 Banffshire Jnl. (9 April):
Or ye may stap your painsh Wi' flesh and finner.
