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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GIRSIE, adj. Also girs(s)y, gerssy.

1. Grassy, grass-clad (I.Sc., Abd. 1954).Abd. 1925 R. L. Cassie Gangrel Muse 12:
I lo'e the girsy roadies Atween the stiles.
Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 2:
A . . . luit ma een feast on the bonnie gerssy haugh.

2. Of cereal crops: interspersed with grass.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 63:
The stooks wir gey girsie, an' some ill t' win.
Ags. 1882 Brechin Advertiser (22 Aug.) 3:
He juist grippit ane [a sheaf] by the girsie beard.
Sc. 1928 Rymour Club Misc. III. 187:
Baulky lands mak's girsy corn, An' girsy corn mak's a hole i' the kist.

3. In comb. girsie stibble(s), lit. = grassy stubble, the fresh grass growing up amongst the stubble after harvest, hence in various fig. contexts with the sense of good feeding, comfortable quarters, a hearty welcome, with special reference to the “killing of the fatted calf” (Abd. 1954).Abd.13 1910:
“I'm gyaun to see my gweed dother the morn.” “Are ye bidin' lang?” “Jist gin I get girssy stibbles.”
Bnff., Bch. 1933 per Bnff.12:
“He aye gets girsie stibble in oor hoose”, i.e. he gets the best fare the house has to offer.
Abd. 1949 per Abd.27:
He's gotten girsy stibbles tae lie in, i.e. a comfortable place with plenty.

[From Girse, q.v. O.Sc. has gersy, grassy, 1513.]

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"Girsie adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/girsie>

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