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.
†KIRRYWERY, n. Also carriwary. “A sort of burlesque serenade; the noise of mock-music, made with pots, kettles, frying-pans, shouting, screaming, etc., at or near the doors and windows of old people who marry a second time, especially of old women and widows who marry young men” (Fif., w.Lth. 1825 Jam.).
[Doubtful. The word is prob. a variant of Currie-wurrie, the defin. given to Jam. being really derived from Cotgrave's Fr. Dict. s.v. charivaris.]
