Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CANLIE, CAWNLIE, n. [′kɑ:nlɪ̢]

1. An Aberdeenshire variety of the game of “tag”: “we used to scratch three lines across the road, and someone stood in the centre. The others stood outside the lines and had to run past the one in the centre to the other side without being touched. If you were touched, you had to go into the centre and be ‘it.' The last to be caught was champion” (Abd. (Midmar) 1916 in T.S.D.C. II., cawnlie). Cf. King of Cantland s.v. King, n., 3. (34).

2. The name given to the boy who stood in the centre. Cf. cannle-stick s.v. Cannle, n., 4.Abd. 1825 Jam.²:
A certain portion of a street, or ground, as it may happen, is marked off as his territory, into which if any of the other boys presume to enter, and be caught by Canlie before he can get off the ground, he is doomed to take the place of Canlie, who becomes free in consequence of the capture.Abd. 1898 E.D.D.:
The boy who is canlie, or “it,” calls the name of another, who must run.Abd.² 1938:
“I steer ma pottage on Canlie's grun” said by the players to provoke Canlie's attention.