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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

PULLER, n. A primitive type of oil-lamp formerly used in Shetland and Orkney (Ork. 1967).Sh. 1915 Old-Lore Misc. VIII. i. 60:
Dis wiz whin da parrafian lamps first cam ta Ile, an' tho Yorl himsel didna lik ta dö awa wi' da auld creeshy puller, even tho hit dreepit saithe öly apo his bald skult.

[Appar. so called because the wick had to be pulled up by the fingers, before the development of the screw-mechanism of later types of lamp.]

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