Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PERSIAN, n. Cai. usage: an undisciplined or rough young fellow, a tough (Cai. 1965); a local nickname for an inhabitant of Canisbay parish (Id.).
[Phs. from the classical (Greek) notion of the Persians as barbarians, or from their Biblical aspect. Cf. Philistian.]
