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.
Quotation dates: 1836-1898, 1956
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SPARL, n. Also spaarl, sparrel. [spɑ:rl]
1. The rectum (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. 210, 1908 Jak. (1928), spar(re)l, Sh. 1971). Comb. windy sparl, a nickname for the gurnard, Trigla gurnardus (Sh. 1899 Evans and Buckley Fauna Sh. 219). See Crooner.Sh. 1956 New Shetlander No. 44. 13:
Dey'll be able ta see right intil his inside an fin oot aa aboot his sparl.
2. (1) A sausage made by stuffing the rectum of a ruminant with chopped meat, fat, spice, etc. (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1971). Comb. sparl-pudding, id., used attrib.; (2) transf., a native of Delting parish (see quot.).(1) Sh. 1836 Gentleman's Mag. II. 593:
Plentie o' spaarls ta keetshin dee grual.Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 98:
Dried saucer-meet an' spaarls.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (29 Jan.):
A bit of the reed, or sparl-pudding skins.(2) Sh. 1883 J. R. Tudor Ork. and Shet. 158:
The natives of Delting rejoice in the name of Sparls, from their particular weakness — a sort of sausage made of lean and fat meat, chopped up and dried with salt in a sheep's intestine.
