Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1825, 1898-1922, 1987-2003
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AIRISH, adj. Cool; chilly. (Obs. in St.Eng.) [′e:rɪ̢ʃ]Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
Airish, chilly.Sc. 1898 H. E. F. in E.D.D.:
Airish is still commonly used all over Scotland for chilly. [“That would now be putting it too strongly” (Slg.3 1931).]Abd. 1922 A. Buchan in Mair Swatches o' Hamespun 71:
It's gettin' airish, though, an' I maun feenish afore sax.Fif. 1987:
I put the bairn's coat on today because it's airish.Edb. 2003:
It's turned a wee bitty airish noo it's October.Arg. 1993:
A wee bit airish.
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"Airish adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/airish>
