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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Spirlin(g, Sperling, Sparlin(g, n. Also: spyrling, sperlyng, spurling. [ME and e.m.E. sperling (1307-8), spyrlyng (c1425), sparlynge (15th c.), spurling (a1471), spirling (1655), OF esperlinge (Tobler-Lommatzsch), MLG spirling, MDu. spierlinc. Cf. later dial. where the term is also applied to the sprat, young herring and burn trout.] The smelt; ? perhaps also applied to other (small) fish.(a) c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 75/95.
Cum hame … Quhair fische to sell is non bot spirling Cum hame and dwell no moir in Strivilling 1512 Household Bk. Jas. IV 8b.
For spyrlingis iiii d. 1676 Edinb. B. Rec. X 285.
For ilk load of salmond mackrells [etc.] … spirlings partines and red herring … thrie shilling 1684 Symson Descr. Galloway 85.
At this foord of Macchirmore, in the month of March, are usualy taken great quantities of large spirlings; the head of this fish, when boyl'd hath been observ'd to yeeld severall little bones, resembling all the severall sorts of instruments that shoemakers make use of 1700 Foulis Acc. Bk. 272.
To the man brought spirlins from John Arsekine 7 s.(b) 1525 Household Bks. Jas. V 15.
In perches, trutis torrentium, pranis, sperlingis, j lucius 1598 Stirling Ant. III 308.
xvj codlyngs … j^c sperlyng 1598 Stirling Ant. III 309.
ij^c fresche hering … sperlings … j^c lamper eilis(c) 1597 Household Bks. Jas. VI and Anne 25 Feb.
Herryng out of Glasgow lx small sparlingis 1598 Household Bks. Jas. VI and Anne 12 April.
iii quarteris of sparlingis 16… Sc. Ant. I 177.
For orengers 15 s. sparlins 5 s. burn bering 4 s. musels 1 s. 1698 Foulis Acc. Bk. 225.
Sparlings from my Lady Marr(d) 1684 Sibbald Scot. Illustr. iii 24.
Apua vera, the spurling