Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1824
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CHARLIE, prop.n. Also Chairlie, Cherlie. Dim. forms of Charles. (Sc. 1745 A. Skirving Johnnie Cope i., 1788 Sc. Mus. Museum II. 195, 1815 W. Glen Remains (1874) 121, 1821 Jacobite Relics (Hogg) 99, 1887 Stevenson Underwoods 87; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein, Rxb. 1942 Zai). [′tʃerle, as freq. indicated by rhyme.]
Sc. usages: 1. In comb. charlie-fisher, a nickname for the heron, Ardea cinerea (Ork. 1975). Cf. Willie-fisher s.v. Willie, 2. (8). See also Charlie Muftie.Sc. 1824 J. Wilson Tournay xi.:
We'll steal on them like a charlie-fisher floating awa afore a westlin wind.
2. A jocular name for a chamber-pot (ne.Sc., Ayr. 1975). Cf. slang Eng. Jerry, Mickey.
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"Charlie prop. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snd00088324>
