We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PILLEURICHIE, n. Also pillarachie; pitlarichie (Abd. 1858 W. E. Aytoun Ballads I. 77), -larachie (Abd. 1925 Greig and Keith Last Leaves 262), -leurachie. A to-do, hullaballoo, hubbub (Abd. 1965). [pɪ′lurɪçi]Abd. 1865 N. & Q. (Ser. 3) VII. 394:
An siccan a “pilleurichie” the like ye never saw As there was amang the Hielanmen, when they saw M'Donell fa'.
Abd. 1903 E.D.D.:
That's an awfu' pillarachie the hens are hadin' this mornin'.

[Imit. Orig. a nonce word found in different forms in the various versions of the ballad The Battle of Harlaw. See Lamachree.]

20804

snd