Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PARLIE, n. Also parl(e)y, parli (Per. 1911 A. D. Stewart Heather and Peat 183); paurley, pawr-. A shortened form of Eng. parliament(-cake), a crisp, rectangular, gingerbread biscuit (Sc. 1825 Jam.). Gen. (exc. I.) Sc., obsol.; also parley-cake, -snap, id. Comb. parley-bing, a heap of parlies, a stall at a fair, etc. selling parliament cakes.Ags. 1834 A. Smart Rambling Rhymes 86:
Sweeties or parley-cakes to crump at.Fif. 1873 J. Wood Ceres Races 9:
Queer, wizard-looking, Irish Sowlies, Wi'parley-bings and rowly-powlies.Lnk. 1880 Clydesdale Readings 189:
An abundant supply o' solids in the shape o'. . . cocket hats, cheese cakes, parley-snaps.Ags. 1896 Barrie Sentimental Tommy xxvii.:
They have tried many ways of drawing Grizel, from heckle biscuits and parlies, to a slap in the face.Lnl. 1910 J. White Eppie Gray 5:
He kept his parlies up the lum, Crumpie an' short an' sweet tae taste.Abd. 1929 K. E. Trail Reminisc. (1952) 124:
Flat ginger biscuits called “parlies”.Sc. 1950 A. R. Daniel Bakers' Dict. s.v.:
Parleys. . . . At one time it was the custom of Scottish bakers to give these cakes to children who came into their shops to purchase bread.wm.Sc. 1957 People's Friend (19 Jan.):
A good supply of parleys, oblong biscuits about six inches by four, gingery and with scalloped edges.