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.
SMIRSLIN, n. Also smirslen, smircelin, smisslin, smerslin; smirlin(g), smurlin; smuthlin. The sand-gaper shellfish, Mya truncata (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 201, 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw., smirlin; Sh. 1932 J. M. Saxby Trad. Lore 203; Ork. 1960 R. Rendall Ork. Shore 20; Sh. 1970, smi(r)slin). [′smɪrslɪn, Sh. ′smɪslɪn, Ork. ′smɪrlɪn]Sh. a.1711 R. Sibbald Descr. (1845) 73:
In time of Lent, the Inhabitants find abundance of Shell Fishes, such as they call Cullzeoks, Smirlings, Cockles, Spouts.Sh. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 V. 190:
The shell fish are spouts, smurlins.Sh. 1806 P. Neill Tour 98:
The smurlin or smuthlin is the Mya truncata, remarkable for a shrivelled leathery process at one end.Sh. 1916 J. Burgess Rasmie's Smaa Murr (Maerch 8):
Frae da smisslin ta Shakspere wis a lang journey; bit no a hurried ean.
