Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
RA-RA-RAE, n. A name for bishopweed, Aegopodium podagraria.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Children were wont to bedeck themselves with such [gout-weed or Bishop-weed], especially on May Hiring-day eve, and march procesion-wise chanting: “Ra-ra-rae, the nicht afore the Fair!”
