Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

KIRKCALDY, prop. n. A seaport and manufacturing town in Fife. Used attrib. in phrs.: 1. Kirkcaldy heist, see Heist, n., (Edb. 1923; Abd.²¹ 1930); 2. Kirkcaldy stripe, a distinct stripe, characteristic of certain kinds of cloth made in Kirkcaldy (Ags., Per., Fif. 1960); 3. Kirkcaldy wallop, a cursory dusting (Kcb. 1943), any perfunctory or hastily done job (Slg. 1960).2. Lth. 1886 J. W. M'Laren T. Catchiron 44:
She wore a white mutch, broon wincey goon, Rob Roy plyde, an' apron (Kirkcaldy stripe).Fif. 1891 Scots Mag. (Nov.) 436:
Here and there dyers had established themselves, grinding their indigo for the “Kirkcaldy Stripe” by the aid of wind-mills.Fif. 1952 P. K. Livingstone Flax, etc. 26:
Kirkcaldy was famous for its “Kirkcaldy stripe” shirting. This was a coloured stripe through the cloth.

Hence Kirkcaldy-striped, -strippet.Ags. 1858 People's Journal (5 June) 1:
Kirkcaldy Striped Shirts.Dundee 1986 David A. MacMurchie I Remember Another Princes Street! 18:
... a varied selection of pirns, needles and pins, a flannel sark or a 'kirkcaldy strippet' shirt, woollen stockings, bed socks, wheeling drawers or the wool to knit them.