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.
Quotation dates: 1887-1912
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CARLE, Carl, n.2 Mostly used in pl. [kɑrl(z)]
1. “A corr[uption] of Carols, songs of joy or mirth, but generally applied to those sung at Yule-tide” (Sc. 1887 Jam.6).
‡2. “App[lied] also to the gifts bestowed on the singers, which were mostly small cakes baked for the occasion” (Ib.). Also as comb. carl-scone.Sc. 1887 Jam.6:
If ye come on Hogmanay I'll gie ye your carles.Ags. 1912 J. A. Duthie Rhymes and Reminisc. ii.:
At Yule we aye got a fine treat, My grannie made “carl-scones” i' plenty.
3. “A song, a licentious song” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., cart).
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"Carle n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/carle_n2>
