Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1955
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BIRLIE, n.2
1. “A spindle-whorl” (ne.Sc. 1923 Watson W.-B. 56).
2. A revolving chimney-cowl (Fif. 1949).
3. A round cage-like frame hung from the shoulders and used for carrying water buckets (Wgt. 1975). Wgt. 1955 Gall. Gazette (10 Dec.):
I would like too, to learn if any of the lads remember carrying home water "frae the spoot" and in doing so used a "birlie" to keep the two water buckets apart.
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"Birlie n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/birlie_n2>
