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.
MIRD, n.2 Also palatalised forms mirge, mirj. A tightly-packed crowd, throng, swarm (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; I.Sc. 1903 E.D.D.; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1963); an accumulation of small objects (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). [mɪrd, mɪrdʒ]Sh. 1895 Northern Chron. (22 Jan.) 3:
There is a perfect “mird” of youngsters to be seen infesting the streets every night.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
A mird o' fish, o' taaties, o' worms or meds; a mirj o' silleks.Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 48 25:
We fan da aald green Ford among da mird o cars, vans and bikes.
