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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WHEERIE, n.1 Also wheery. A peculiar trait of character, “gen. of an ill trait” (Ork. 1929 Marw., wheery); a whim, a frivolous or capricious notion or act. [′ʍiri]Ayr. 1817 D. McKillop Poems 28:
Never mind their gig-me-leeries, Their flatt'rin' speech, whims and wheeries, Just wheel them roun' like whirlin' peeries Till us they care for; An' mind my boy [the Prince Regent] — by quims an' queeries, It's that you're there for.

[Prob. dim. of Wheer, adj. See queery s.v. Queer, I. 1. (3) (ii). In quot. the word may be an independent formation based on Wheerum, or to alliterate with whim.]

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