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.
SWEIRIE, adj. Also sweerie, -y. Rather lazy, somewhat reluctant to do anything (I.Sc. 1972). Combs. sweirie-geng, the first or most difficult row of stitches in knitting (Sh. 1972); sweery-root, soil which is turned over by the spade after a grain crop and planted next season with potatoes, said to be so called as requiring extra hard digging (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928) s.v. siverka); sweerie-well, sweerag- (Cai. 1972), see 1831 quot.Sc. 1831 Fife Herald (9 June):
Like Sweerie-Wells, which flow plentifully for a while after rain, but cannot be depended on for a constant stream.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 138:
The wife's nae langer sweerie.Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 64:
We werna sweery ta consent.Sh. 1916 J. Burgess Rasmie's Smaa Murr (Aagust 19):
Da sweery man's nets is aye needin cootchin.Sh. 1949 P. Jamieson Letters 250:
Ta ride ipo a sweerie horse means, “To arrive late.” A sweerie dug is shun appered, is “An unwilling (or lazy) person is easily put off.”
