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.
OORACK, n. Also -ik, -ach, ourach; urek (Jak.). A small puny creature or child (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1964); a small, poor-quality potato (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928)); transf. rubbish, nonsense (Sh. 1952 Robertson and Graham Sh. Grammar 41).Sh. 1825 Jam.:
It's terrible I can get nae ither meat sep da warry gad, and de watery ourach.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (7 Aug.):
Windering' ower a oorik o' a moorit midderless lamb.
Hence oorikie, small stunted (Sh. 1964).Sh. 1879 Shet. Times (2 Aug.):
Oot o' a wir stock I only noo hae tree oorikie tings o' gimmers.
