Show Search Results Show Browse
Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PIRRIE, v. Also para-. To follow (a person) around, dog another's footsteps (Kcd. 1825 Jam.). Comb. pirrie-dog (Ib.), para- (Ags. 1825 Jam.) a dog which is always at its master's heels; fig., a sycophant, parasite, sponger (Jam.).
[? From Pirr, v., 1. The form in para- prob. arises from confusion with or a play on parasite. Henryson's pirrie dog does not appear to be connected.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Pirrie v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 22 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pirrie_v>
