Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
NETTIE, n. Also netty.
†1. A woman who goes about the country collecting wool (Slk. 1825 Jam.). Also attrib. in nettie-wife.Slk. 1820 Hogg Tales (1874) 273:
During two months of each summer, the hill countries of the Lowlands were inundated by hundreds of women from the Highlands, who bartered small articles of dress, and of domestic import, for wool; these were known by the appellation of norlan' netties.m.Sc. 1927 J. Buchan Witch Wood iv.:
The nettie-wives were busy all day in the fields.
2. A variety of pear.Sc. 1814 J. Sinclair Agric. Scot. App. I. 442:
Briar-bush or Nettie. Of Clydesdale origin. It is a small but good winter pear, ripens even in indifferent seasons, and the tree is generally a profuse bearer.
