Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1925-2000
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PIANO, n. Also colloq. forms piana (Sh. 1924 T. Manson Peat Comm. 28), pianna; pian(n)y (Edb. 1895 J. Tweeddale Moff 203; w.Sc. 1932 A. H. Charteries When Sc. Smiles 265), pianie; peanny (Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 168); pinanny (Sc. 1892 Stevenson Letters (1899) II. 256); piawno (Sc. 1827 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1863) I. 354). Sc. forms and usages. [pi′ɑnə]
1. As in Eng., in combs. (1) piano machine, see quot. (Ayr. 1965); (2) piano puncher, the operator of a piano machine (Ayr. 1965).(1) Rnf. 1925 A. M. Stewart Paisley Shawl 18:
He [Jacquard] had already invented a simple little machine for punching these holes [in weaving patterns] called a piano machine, because the operator sat before it with the design on a frame where the music would be on a piano, and with his ten fingers he played upon the stops that controlled the punches, his foot and a treadle being the motive force . . . It is still in use at the present day.
2. Jocularly for a certain shape of loaf (see quot.).Sc. 1957 R. Sheppard & E. Newton Bread 144:
A slight brushing of fat between the surfaces of the last fold [of a Scottish French Loaf] enables the baker to produce a handsome upright loaf. Indeed it is known in some areas as a piano.Abd. 1996 Sheena Blackhall Wittgenstein's Web iv:
Naebody, as far's I ken, telt Beethoven the pianie sud anely be eesed fur the twa midmaist octaves. Sae fit makks Doric ony different? w.Lth. 2000 Davie Kerr A Puckle Poems 26:
Nae honky-tonk tune ti lichten the gloom.
Nae clue as the Toun Hall pianna
wis taen without trace an selt for a case
o whisky at twelve an a tanner.
