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.
Quotation dates: 1714, 1819-1826, 1878-1925
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†TARY, n. Also tarrie, tarry; terra, terr(e)y, tairie. Sc. forms and usages. [′tɑre; ′tere]
1. Vexation, trouble, harm.Cld. 1826 R. Chambers Pop. Rhymes 264:
Gin ye ca' me fairy, I'll work ye muckle tarrie.
2. Transf. The Devil. Freq. in imprecative phrs. fa (in the) tarrie, fat tarrie, who or what the devil . . .!ne.Sc. 1714 R. Smith Poems (1853) 9:
They had no Men to Couples ty, On the Terrey they did cry.Kcd. 1819 J. Burness Thrummy Cap (1887) 11:
Fat tarry then maks you sae eery?Abd. 1878 J. C. Hutchieson Village Voices 154:
I jumpit up, an' syne spak' oot — “Noo, fat the terra's that?”Abd. 1898 J. R. Imray Sandy Todd 136:
Fa in the terry could he be?ne.Sc. 1912 Scotsman (18 Jan.):
Come in the hoose and clean yersel, for yer as black's the terra.Kcd.1 1925:
Fa tairie was keepin' the shop?
