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.
Quotation dates: 1821
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PIRNIE-CASTLE, n.comb. In harvesting: a laggard reaper (see quot.).Rxb. 1821 A. Scott Poems 24:
Poor pirnie castle in a huff, Far, far ahind, I ween, Cries, losh sake, lass, let's gie't a cuff. Pirnie castle, is a term of contempt, given to the man upon that rig which is for the most part found behind the rest.
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"Pirnie-castle n. comb.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pirniecastle>
