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.
PILLIE-WINKIE, n. A game or activity among children (see quot.). Also in proverbial phr. of mischief in gen.Fif. 1825 Jam.:
An egg, an unfledged bird, or a whole nest, is placed on a convenient spot. He, who has what is called the first pill, retires a few paces, and being provided with a cowt or rung, is blindfolded, or gives his promise to wink hard, (whence he is called winkie,) and moves forward in the direction of the object, as he supposes, striking the ground with the stick all the way. . . . When one of the party breaks an egg, he is entitled to all the rest as his property. Every art is employed, without removing the nest or the egg, to mislead the blindfolded person, who is also called the Pinkie. . . . “He's ay at pillie winkie wi' the gowdnie's eggs”, he is always engaged in some mischief or another.
