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.
UNKIRSEN, adj. Also unkirsn, oon-. Of food: not fit for human consumption, unclean (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1973). See Kirsten, II.Sh. 1884 Chambers's Jnl. (7 June):
They [crabs and lobsters]'re unkirsn — they eat the human. (Unkirsn is the vernacular for unclean, in the sense of being unfit for food. The natives call it (bottle-nose whale flesh) grind, and regard it as excellent, palatable, and nutritious food.
