Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1886-1947
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COLLIE, Kolly, Kolli, Koly, n.2 "The little iron open lamp, in which fish-oil (melted livers) was used. In shape somewhat like a saucer with a spout on one side in which rested the wick — consisting of the cores of rushes (Juncus)" (Ork. 1929 Marw., koly; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., kolli); the Cruisie of the mainland. Now superseded by the paraffin lamp to which the name is occas. transferred. Cf. Kelly, n.2 [′kɔlɪ̢]Sh.(D) 1886 "G. Temple" Britta 19:
An old-fashioned iron lamp, called a collie . . . supplied . . . all the illumination of the apartment.Sh.(D) 1916 J. J. H. Burgess Rasmie's Smaa Murr, Navember 1:
Whin da kolly wis young, he caaed da sun bridder.Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 112:
Whin I cam' in agen, dan Girzzie wis geen ta fill da collie wi' a aire o' sillock oil.Sh. 1947 New Shetlander (Aug.-Sept.) 13:
Afore her shue held a kolli-lamp Dat didna shaa a stime.
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"Collie n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/collie_n2>
