Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1927-1966
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SNIRL, v., n. [′snɪr(ə)l]
I. v. 1. To snigger, to laugh in a suppressed manner (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1971).
2. (1) To sneeze, to sniff, to snort, esp. contemptuously (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.). Also in Eng. dial.; (2) specif. of wind: to blow in gusts, snarl (Bnff. 1971).Bnff. 1966 Banffshire Herald (26 Feb.) 5:
The wind is snell and snirlin', the frost is fell and keen.
II. n. 1. A snigger, a snarl (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Phr. a snirl i' one's nose, a contemptuous wrinkling of the nose. Ppl.adj. in comb. ill-snirled, of children: bad-tempered, peevish (Ork. 1971).Ork. 1927 Peace's Almanac 134:
Dat peerie pistlin' ting, wi' her falderals an' a snirl i' 'er nose.Ork. 1931 Orcadian (7 May):
Whin 'e cam' dere waas a snirl i' 'is nose.
2. A gusty, biting wind (Sh. 1971). Dim. snirly, id. (Sh., Ayr., Kcb. 1971).
3. An impudent youngster (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
[Altered form, with dim. force, of snarl.]
