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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SPURDIE, n. Also, by back-formation, spurd. [spʌrd]

1. A sparrow, Passer domesticus (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 179, spurd; Ork. 1877 Sc. Naturalist (Jan.) 9; ne.Sc., Ags., Lth. 1971). Also applied to the hedge-sparrow, Prunella modularis (Bwk. 1902 A. Thomson Lauder 280; Lth., Bwk. 1971).Ags. 1867 G. W. Donald Poems 69:
Withoot a hope save feedin' spurdies.Edb. 1883 Mod. Sc. Poets (Edwards) VI. 156:
Wee flitt'rin, flecht'rin, half-fledged spurdie.Per. 1895 R. Ford Tayside Songs 172:
At a nest o' young spurdies.Abd. 1904 W. Farquhar Fyvie Lintie 154:
Whiles a spurdie, rat, or moose I worry deid.Ags. 1934 G. M. Martin Dundee Worthies 134:
Giff you dinna h-h-haud the gr-gr-grips You'll no' get nane o' the sp-spurdies.Edb. 1965 J. T. R. Ritchie Golden City 11:
In the Trinity district our name for a sparrow was a “spurdie.”

2. Fig.: (1) a little person of lively disposition (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 179; ne.Sc. 1971); (2) any thin object that is nearly worn out (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).