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: 1866
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SPUR, n.2 Also spar-, and dim. form spurl (Ork. 1971). A sparrow, Passer domesticus, used in combs. below and fig. for a small lively person (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 179). See Spurdie. Combs. spur-hawk, the sparrow-hawk, Accipiter nisus (Lth. 1808 Jam.; Abd. 1886 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 136, spur-hawk, spar-), also fig. a person of small stature and lively manner (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 719); spurmuick, a particle, atom, morsel (Abd. 1825 Jam.), muick prob. being a dim. form of mou, Mouth, sc. a sparrow's mouthful; spurri(e) how, the sparrow-hawk (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.), where the form may represent Norw. dial. sporvehauk. id.Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.:
To run like a “spurrie-how” — to run as fast as a hawk flies.
