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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FRY, n. Sc. usages:

1. A small number of fish for frying, esp. when presented as a gift (I. and n.Sc., Fif., Gall. 1953); also an amount of other food for frying (Sh., Ork., Cai., Bnff., Ags., Ayr., Dmf. 2000s).Rxb. 1875 N. Elliott Nellie Macpherson 77:
She no behaved ower weel tae me the last fry o' trouts I sell'd tae her, no sae lang syne.Nai. 1886 Folk-Lore Jnl. IV. 15:
Some will not give away a “fry o' herrin,” that is, a few herrings as a dish. The luck of the fishing goes with them.Abd. 1892 J. Cromar Prodigal's Wife xii.:
I'm gaun past Burnbank wi' a fry o' fish to Mrs Leslie.Edb. 1998:
Is it just a fry o bacon ye want, or mair?

2. Fig. A state of worry or distraction, a pother, a disturbance (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Cld. 1880 Id.; Sh., ne.Sc., Ags., Slg. 1953). Cf. Eng. to fry, to torment, harass.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 91:
Nae word they spak, till they came close in by, The sight amo' them had rais'd sick a fry.Rnf. 1862 A. McGilvray Poems 73:
On you we keep an anxious eye, And see you never out the fry.Dmf. 1864 D. Bell Writings 21:
Thae weans beat a' — — they keep oor Duncan an' me in a perfect fry frae morn till nicht.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb viii.:
I'm jist keepit in a fry wi' ae coorse pack aifter anither.