Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SWARRA, n. Also swa(a)ra, swarrie, swarey and trisyllabic forms sewarra, suwarra, -waawra, sivarra (Mry., Bnff. 1921 T.S.D.C.). [′swɑrə; Bnff. sə′wɑre]
1. A type of thick, heavy woollen yarn used for knitting jerseys, scarves and under-clothing (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Sh., ‡Bnff. 1972). Comb. swarra-weer, -waer, -ware, a thick needle used for knitting this wool.Sh. 1897 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd (1922) 72:
Shü held oot a hesp o' grey swarra ta me ta haud till shü wand hit.Sh. 1898–1900 Shetland News (23 July, 1 Dec.):
Awfil tick swarra wares. . . . Da end o' her swarey waer.Abd. 1930 Abd. Press & Jnl. (17 April):
An old hand-knitter will speak of her “swarra weers.”Sh. 1962 New Shetlander No. 62. 31:
A gey swaarie neest joopie.Sh. 1969 Scots Mag. (Nov.) 123:
Until about the second decade of this century “swarra” was commonly spun and made up into clothing.
2. A garment knitted with this wool; specif. heavy underclothing (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); an underjacket (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.); a kind of scarf (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 153); a thick woollen jersey (Mry. 1925; Sh. 1972).
[Orig. unknown.]
