Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HERIOTER, prop.n. 1. A (former) pupil of George Heriot's School in Edinburgh, founded by the endowment of George Heriot (1563-1624), jeweller and financier in London, in 1659. Also in dim. form Heriot(t)ie.[′hɛrɪɔtər]Edb. 1898 J. Baillie W. Crighton Intro. xiv.:
The brevity of his Eton jacket furnished the town boy with his couplet which he used to shout after the Herioter — “Heri Heriotie Wi' the wee short coatie.”
2. See quot.Edb. 1821 Blackwood's Mag. (Aug.) 36:
Playing at the ba' is also a favourite game with the boys of Edinburgh, and penny Herioters were at one time very celebrated. These balls were manufactured by the boys of George Heriot's Hospital, and, from this circumstances got the name of Herioters. I can vouch to their being an excellent article of the kind and famous stotters.
