Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PEERYORIE, n. Also peeryorrie, pirrie-aroe. A potato. Only found as a street-cry in Edb. in the mid. 19th c. [pir′jǫ:re]Sc. 1821 Blackwood's Mag. (July) 400:
Would an Englishman ever be able to make out that Fyne Pirrie-aroes was meant as a proclamation for the sale of potatoes?Edb. 1872 J. Smith Sc. Stories (1881) 53:
Before the advent o' that fell disease that killed the puir tatties, how cheery it was to hear, “Here's yer sonsy peeryories”.Edb. 1908 Bk. Old Edb. Club II. 193:
Buy my fine peeryorries, saxpence a peck and awa they go!
