Show Search Results Show Browse
Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
¶SMIRN, n. “A smug, officious person, especially one of insignificant appearance” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
[Orig. doubtful. Phs. an extended usage of smirrin, Smirr, a drizzle, sc. something slightly annoying but of no substance or importance. Cf. sim. metaphor in mod. Eng. slang shower.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Smirn n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/smirn>
