Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SLAURIE, v., n., adj. Also slarrie, slawrie, slaurry; sclaurie. [′slǫre]
I. v. 1. To daub or splash with mud or the like, to besmear, dirty one's clothes (Fif., 1825 Jam.; Kcd. c.1850; Slg., wm.Sc., Kcb. 1970). Also fig.Ayr. 1904 E.D.D.:
The weans have slauried the butter on the table.Ags. 1921 V. Jacob Bonnie Joann 16:
Favours sclarried on sinfu' heids.Sc. 1931 H. McDiarmid First Hymn to Lenin 39:
She was sae tashed and lightlied by the wave Oot o' my recognition and slarried by The infernal sly.
2. Fig. To scold, berate, vilify, call names.Fif. 1825 Jam.:
To sclaurie one like a randy beggar. Poor sklintin Geordie wha sclauried an' grain'd.
II. n. 1. A smear, smudge, a daub of any soft sticky substance (Slg., Ayr., Kcb. 1970).Gsw. 1884 Scottish Reader (21 June) 39:
Gi'en its lips a streak o' red paint, an' it's e'ebroos a slarry o' coal-tar.Ayr. 1904 E.D.D.:
You've an unco slaurie o' jelly on your plate.
2. A slovenly untidy person, a slattern (Rnf. 1917 Thistle (May) 95).
¶III. adj. Befouled, dirty (Rnf. 1837 Crawfurd MSS. XI. 337), poss. an inaccurate definition for I. 1.
[Appar. from Mid.Eng. slory, Eng. dial. slurry, to dirty, besmear, revile, related to Eng. slur, blot, smear.]
