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.
Quotation dates: 1949
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KIRR, int., v. Also kir. [kɪr]
I. int. Hush! be quiet! (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.), used to calm a child, or lull it to sleep (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1960). Also used to stop the noise made by poultry, or to scare them away (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1960). Cf. hush-kirr s.v. Hush, n.2
II. v. To hush, to silence or check, "chiefly used by shepherds" (Sh. 1880 Jam.); to scare away, esp. hens (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 10:
I kushed an' kirred, cried "shug, shug" an' "sig him".
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"Kirr interj., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/kirr_interj_v>
