Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MEARNS, prop.n. Gen. with def. art.: the eastern county of Scotland now officially known as Kincardineshire, lying between the rivers Dee and North Esk. In adv. phr. Mearns fashion, in a bungling, incompetent manner, topsy-turvy (Fif. a.1838 Jam. MSS. X. 199). [mernz]Sc. 1827 C. I. Johnstone Eliz. de Bruce I. xiii.:
Richie Whands of the Royals . . . had a leg set on with the Riga. But thae blockheads of Penguins, as you call them, did his leg-job Mearns fashion, — clapped the calf where the shin should be.
