Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1751, 1819
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†WIRLIN(G), n. Also wurlin, wurlyon, worlin, orlin(g), urlin. A puny or stunted person or animal, a dwarf, a deformed creature (Rxb. 1825 Jam., wurlin; wm.Sc. 1887 Jam., worlin, orlin(g)). Specif. usage: a trout or salmon which is not fully grown, a grilse, “a species of trout which wants the dorsal fin near the tail” (Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 215), poss., however, a different word. Cf. Herling, Spirling.Per. 1751 Session Papers, Comb v. Gray (10 Aug. 1756) 9:
Being asked, If all the small Fishes go under the Name of Wirlings? depones, That all the Fish that were not full-grown Salmon go under that Name.Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St Patrick II. xvi.:
Ye scruntet like wurlyon o' the pit.
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"Wirlin n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 4 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/wirling>
