Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MIRL, v.2, n.2 Also mirrl, mirrel.
I. v. 1. intr. To move briskly and lightly, to twirl around (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 145, Sh. 1963), to dance as a clown, to patter (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); to tremble, quiver, twinkle. Also fig. Hence ppl.adj. mirlin, quivering, shimmering; vbl.n. mirlin, the shimmering, dancing appearance of light on the horizon in hot weather. Deriv. mirlie in comb. mirliecog, mirlicoag, -kog, a spinning top (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1963).Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 64:
Da stars wis mirlin' i' da lift as if dey wir trimblin' wi' cowld.Sh. 1933 J. Nicolson Hentilagets 15:
A mirrlin coorteen reeks across da lift. An whin its goalden faalds begin ta shift, I ken da mystic dance is gaein ta start.Sh. 1958 Shetland News (30 Dec.) 4:
Mirlin laek a russi-foal.Sh. 1993 New Shetlander Sep 21:
Mirl - to quiver or tremble. Abd. 2000 Sheena Blackhall The Singing Bird 19:
The cheengefu lift bleeds blae,
Colours mell and mirl,
A mixter-maxter cumulus o pearl,
A weety, sulky haar. Abd. 2000 Sheena Blackhall The Singing Bird 9:
Like mochs aroon a caunle-flame, the mirlin mem'ries heeze:
O April sunlicht drappin gowd on Cluny's scentit trees;
Blindrift's doonfa, saft Beltane's thaw, ower Tullich's rigs o green.
2. tr. To cause to quiver, to shake.Sh. 1900 Shetland News (5 May):
He pointid at da yow an' lamb lyin' apon his fore knees sookin' awa' an' mirrlin' his tail.
3. To mill about, to swarm (Sh. 1963).
II. n. A quivering, dancing motion.Sh. 1950 New Shetlander No. 20. 25:
Da bairn at . . . felt da swingin a woarlds in every mirl o' a girse bled.
