Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HARDIE, n. Also herdie.
1. A kind of white morning roll with a hard surface (Ags. 1956). Cf. Softie, which is similar but not so hard and crisp on the outside. Also saft herdie, id. (Frf. 1956).Ags. 1912 A. Reid Forfar Worthies 85:
One sort of morning roll answered to bawbee and penny baiks; another to hardie, a “bawbee saft hardie” being no uncommon order; a hardie and slag (syrup) forming a favourite school peece.Ags. 1948 Forfar Dispatch (12 Aug.):
There wiz a fel dose o' fowk ee baker's fin I gaed in for my herdies yesterday mornin.
2. A hard sort of butter biscuit (Abd. 1956), esp. applied in Fif. to a variety baked in Cupar and popular as ship's biscuits. Also in comb. Cupar hardie.Fif. 1909 Colville 186:
Where are now the . . . rings powdered with pink sugar, the cheesies, Cupar hardies, and the ginger-breed demons?Fif. 1954 Fife Herald (29 Sept.) 5:
The term Cupar Hardy was definitely applied in the late 'nineties of last century and the early years of the present one, to a biscuit or “bake,” as commonly known then, and made by local bakers. I recollect it was round in shape, about 4 to 5 inches in diameter and ½ inch thick. This “bake” or biscuit was made in two forms — one plain and with little or no flavouring, the other liberally sprinkled with carvies or caraway seeds.Fif. 1956:
In St Monance the skipper would lay in a few extra hardies, and give them to the women at the pier just before sailing.
