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.
RIGMARIE, n. Also rigmaree. [rɪgmə′ri]
1. An obs. Scots coin of very small value (Lth., Dmf. 1808 Jam.); anything of little or no value (Kcb. 1900). Gen. in neg. contexts. See etym. note.Rxb. 1807 J. Ruickbie Wayside Cottager 189:
Wha valued not your college spither A rigmarie.s.Sc. 1885 W. Scrope Salmon Fishing 257:
He'll no be worth a rigmaree the nicht for fishing.
2. “A thin membrane.” Sic, but the story appears to have some affinity with Rigglemerie, q.v.Gall. 1904 E.D.D.:
“The rigmaree o' an ingan”, the thin membrane in the bulb of an onion. An old mason, quarrying stone, detached from a crevice a veil-like web of rootlets and held it up to his apprentice saying, “Noo, boy, there's a rig-ma-ree”.
3. A frivolous gathering, a frolic (Gall. 1825 Jam.). Cf. Rig, n.2 Now poet.Sc. 1928 J. G. Horne Lan'wart Loon 23:
An' turn'd the daft day's rigmaree Intill anither Odyssey.Bnff. 1931 Banffshire Jnl. (21 April) 5:
The cutter fesses clyack tee Wi' little spree or rig-ma-ree.
