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.
‡HERONSHEW, n. Also heronsheugh (Bwk. 1895 G. Muirhead Birds Bwk. II. 39); hernseugh (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); hernshaw (Dmf. 1957), herrin'-shouw. The heron, Ardea cinerea. Now arch. or dial. in Eng.Sc. 1805 Scott Last Minstrel i. vi.:
O'er capon, heron-shew, and crane, And princely peacock's gilded train.Slk. 1828 Hogg Poems (1865) 329:
Ane shameful heronshew, Was sitting by the plashy shore.Dmf. 1866 Carlyle Reminiscences (1881) II. 147:
The only time I ever saw a hernshaw (“herrin'-shouw” the Annandalers call it) actually fishing.
