Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SHARROW, adj. Also sharro, shirro(wy) (Marw.); sherrow. Bitter to the taste, sour, tart, acid (Cai. 1825 Jam., Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Cai. 1970); fig. keen, sharp in business, exacting. Derivs. or variant forms shirroch, shirragh, sour, acrid (Cld. 1825 Jam.), sharrachie, shellachie, chilly, piercingly cold, of the weather (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.), shirraghie, -ochy, having a sour, haughty, or passionate look (Cld. 1880 Jam.).Cai. 1825 Jam.:
A sharrow craver, one who acts the part of a dun.m.Sc. 1988 William Neill Making Tracks 72:
Dae ye think yon Henley kent whit a kailyard wes?
Or aw thir ither expairts frae The Toun,
the Heich-Heid-Criticasters lukkin doun
thair nebs tae snirt et kintra chiels lik us
an runkle up a tairt an sharrow phiz?
We ken forbye the ceetie scrievin-loun
hes for a spy-gless Geordie Dooglas Broon
an taks as gospel every ward he says.