Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TURNEEP, n. Also ¶turneept (Rxb. 1847 H. S. Riddell Poems 19). A turnip (Sc. 1724 Treatise on Fallowing 27; Abd. 1726 Monymusk Papers (S.H.S.) 204: Sc. 1817 Scott Rob Roy vi.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 272; Ork. 1973). This form became obs. in Eng. in the 17th c.
Sc. combs. and deriv.: 1. turneep callant, the odd-job boy on a farm (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); 2. turneep dickie, = 1.; 3. turneep purry, a puree made from cooked turnip, fresh butter, salt, pepper and ginger (Sc. 1929 F. M. McNeill Sc. Kitchen 151); 4. turnipy, of milk or butter: having a flavour suggesting that the cow has been fed on turnips (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Ork. 1973).2. Rxb. 1919 Kelso Chronicle (14 March) 4:
The “turnip-dicky” — the “odd callant” on the farm.
