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.
HEIDIEPEER, adj. Also heedipeers, heady-, heidi(e)-, head-a-pears. Of equal stature or age (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis, hedypere, 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 198, heddipeer; Lnk. 1825 Jam., headapeer; ne.Sc. 1956). The word came to be construed as a n. Hence in pl., persons who are equal in height (and gen. by inference in age). [′hidɪ′pi:r]Sc. c.1720 Rymour Club Misc. III. 125:
And tho I wer a score of years aulder than you, we'r head-a-pears.Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Poems 290:
To think ane's friends, and heady-peers, Scarce ken you in their way.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb vii.:
Oor 'Liza an' you ees't to be heid-y-peers, but ye're tynin' her a' thegither.Abd. 1923 Swatches o' Hamespun 57:
Gin ye cud spell able, Geordie, tho' we be gey near heidi-peers.Abd.30 1955:
Lassie, ye're jist heidiepeers wi' yer mither noo.
