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: 1825, 1880-1922
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AIR, Aer, n.3 Oar. Dim. form airie (Abd. 1881 J. W. Ritchie Geordie Tough's Squeel (1931) 13). [e:r]Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 87:
Tak' da efter aer apo' da backward side, Aandrew.Ork.(D) 1880 Dennison Orcad. Sk. Bk. 53:
An' a' her airs wur skair'd an' wippid aroond wi' bent bands.Cai.(D) 1909 D. Houston 'E Silkie Man 6:
Gin we lift 'e airs 'e middle o' iss, we're is laek is no [etc.].n.Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
Air. This is still the pronunc. of the north of S[cotland]. It occurs in a Proverb applied to one who has too many undertakings, or who engages in a variety of business at once: "He has o'er many airs i' the water." Air survives in Crm. in the comb. Booair or Bewchair.
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"Air n.3". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/air_n3>
