Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768-1806, 1871-1953
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‡OORLICH, adj., n. Also ourlach, o'rlich, (h)urloch; urlach (Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 85), oorlick; woorlich (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.). [′u:rlɪç]
I. adj. Of persons: miserable-looking from cold, hunger or illness, pinched, haggard, shivery, out-of-sorts (Abd. 1929, oorlick); of the weather: damp, chilly and unpleasant, raw, bleak, depressing (Bch. 1808 Jam.; ne.Sc. 1964); of things: sad and depressing, eerie.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 45:
Ayont the pool, I spy'd the lad that fell, Drouket, an' looking unko ourlach-like.Mry. 1806 R. Jamieson Ballads I. 295:
And mony a cald hurloch eenin, Through weet and through snaw had he gane.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xviii.:
Oorlich shoo'ers o' drift an' hail.Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 163:
There's been a drap rain, an' she may be o'rlich kin'.Bnff. 1922 Banffshire Jnl. (18 April) 2:
As oorlich as the greetin' hellwarye The crafters, mossin' to the tap, can hear, Hine, hine awa', the grouse scraich ower the meer.Bnff., Abd. 1953:
A gey oorlich pairt o the country, yon. A richt oorlich kin o a day.
II. n. A starved-looking, stunted person (Abd. 1911 Abd. Wkly. Jnl. (20 Jan.)).Abd. 1922 Swatches o' Hamespun 87:
A smoolach o' a carlie staviet in the idder day, An unca-lookin' oorlick.
