A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Fery fary, n. Also: feré farie, ferie farye, feirie farie, farye, fearie fairie; firy fary, firie farie, furie farye. [Cf. Fary n. 2 and 3.] A state of confusion or bustle. 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 292.
I haue no tyme … To schaw ȝow all the fery fary 1535 Stewart 46053.
To tell … war ouir grit tarie The fantasie and eik the ferie farye, … Wes maid that tyme at mariage of our king 1540 Lynd. Sat. 193 (B).
I haif bene in ane feryfary (Ch. feirie farie) Or ellis in till ane trans a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 238.
Cupido … I warye, Quha reft me, and left me In sic a furye farye [v.r. fere farie, feirie farie] 1641 Baillie Letters (1775) I. 285.
That chamber and table discourse, for argument, flum-flams, and fearie-fairies [v.r. fanfares] could not be treasons 1686 G. Stewart Joco-Serious Disc. 12.
Now what needs aw this feary fary?
You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Fery Fary n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 4 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/fery_fary>
