Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1744, 1844, 1938
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CAIRRIER, n. Gen.Sc. form of Eng. carrier (see P.L.D. §48.1 (2)). Also ¶kearrer. The Eng. form is illustrated here only in phr. peculiar to Sc. [′ke:rɪər, ′kɛrɪər]Ayr. 1744 Mun. Irvine (1891) II. 327:
For 3 paints of aill by the kearrers . . . £00. 00. 6.
Phrase: to come (back) wi' the blin' cairrier, — carrier, to come (back) only after a very long time; never to return (Ags.1 1938).Fif.10 1938:
Ay, I doot that'll be comin' wi' the blin' cairrier!Dmb. 1844 W. Cross Disruption (1846) xviii.:
I trow, the principal and interest wad come back to me wi' the blin' carrier.
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"Cairrier n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/cairrier>
