Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GIRSIE, adj. Also girs(s)y, gerssy.
1. Grassy, grass-clad (I.Sc., Abd. 1954).Abd. 1925 R. L. Cassie Gangrel Muse 12:
I lo'e the girsy roadies Atween the stiles.Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 2:
A . . . luit ma een feast on the bonnie gerssy haugh.
2. Of cereal crops: interspersed with grass.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 63:
The stooks wir gey girsie, an' some ill t' win.Ags. 1882 Brechin Advertiser (22 Aug.) 3:
He juist grippit ane [a sheaf] by the girsie beard.Sc. 1928 Rymour Club Misc. III. 187:
Baulky lands mak's girsy corn, An' girsy corn mak's a hole i' the kist.
3. In comb. girsie stibble(s), lit. = grassy stubble, the fresh grass growing up amongst the stubble after harvest, hence in various fig. contexts with the sense of good feeding, comfortable quarters, a hearty welcome, with special reference to the “killing of the fatted calf” (Abd. 1954).Abd.13 1910:
“I'm gyaun to see my gweed dother the morn.” “Are ye bidin' lang?” “Jist gin I get girssy stibbles.”Bnff., Bch. 1933 per Bnff.12:
“He aye gets girsie stibble in oor hoose”, i.e. he gets the best fare the house has to offer.Abd. 1949 per Abd.27:
He's gotten girsy stibbles tae lie in, i.e. a comfortable place with plenty.
