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.
Quotation dates: 1807-1887
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RYE, n. Also †ray. Sc. usages in combs. 1. rye-craik, the land-rail, Crex crex, a nonce usage by Tannahill. See Craik, n., (3); 2. rye-kail, broth made with rye; 3. Rye-Willie, a round scone or biscuit, originally of rye meal, popular in the West of Scot. among school children.1. Rnf. 1807 R. Tannahill Poems (1817) 229:
The rye-craik rispt his clam'rous throat.2. Bwk. 1856 G. Henderson Pop. Rhymes 4:
The rye-kail o' Reston Gar'd a' the dougs dee.3. Gsw. c.1887 Bulletin (11 May 1957) 2:
A “Rye Willie” was a round scone made of rye meal and treacle, 7 in. broad and 1 in. thick. It sold at one penny. School children bought them at playtime but only one half was more than enough, covered on top with treacle.
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"Rye n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/rye>
