Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1739-1917
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FERRIER, n. Gen.Sc. form of Eng. farrier, a blacksmith, a horse doctor. Now applied to the modern veterinary surgeon (ne.Sc., m.Lth. 1951).Edb. 1739 Edb. Marriage Reg. (S.R.S.) 55:
Elizabeth Bunkele, widow of Andrew Baillie, smith and ferrier.Sc. 1781 Ed. Ev. Courant (10 Feb.):
A Set of that Area lying near the Cowgate-port, as lately possessed by Alexander Gardner, smith and ferrier.Ayr. 1823 Galt R. Gilhaize I. l.:
My grandfather's father was also a ferrier, and enjoyed a far-spread repute for his skill in the maladies of horses.Gsw. 1868 J. Young Poems 29:
A wad-be ferrier, feckless coof, In shoein' me ance prick'd my hoof.Abd. 1887 Bon-Accord (8 Oct.) 9:
Veterinary Surgeon — "That's a good horse ye've got." Mains — "Ay, Ferrier, bit it wis a gweed lang price."Hdg. 1889 J. Lumsden Lays Linton 85:
Small farmers, grieves, ploughmen, shepherds, cattlemen, drainers (Scotch), odd and orra men of all sorts, mechanics, ferriers, bakers, and brewers.Abd. 1917 C. Murray Sough o' War 37:
Syne [I've to] cry upo' the banker's wife an' leave some settin' eggs, An' tell the ferrier o' the quake that's vrang aboot the legs.
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"Ferrier n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/ferrier>
