Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

NETTLE-EARNEST, n.comb. Also yirnest, -yirrnist. Downright earnest, dead earnest (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., -yirnest: Uls. 1953 Traynor).Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck xiii.:
Ane canna speak a word but it is taen in nettle-earnest.Rxb. a.1860 J. Younger Autobiog. (1881) 94:
Whenever it wad come to nettle earnest I wad . . . grip in wi' ma hands.Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 19:
They thoughts gar iz bang up bleithe again an buckle tui in nettle-yirrnist!