stirrah Sc.
(ˈstɛrə)
Also 7 stirrow.
[Perh. corruption of sirrah; cf. stir for sir, stir n.2]
1. A young fellow.
| 1665 Sir J. Lauder (Ld. Fountainhall) Jrnls. (S.H.S.) 17 Being oftner in telling of his beads then both his other 2 companions fat-looged stirrows ware. 1768 Ross Helenore 7 Ralph..A dainty stirrah had, twa years out gane. a 1779 D. Graham Jockey & Maggy v. Writ. 1883 II. 41 She's born a bra wally thumping stirra. 1811 A. Scott Poems (ed. 2) 177 Here they dwalt, till Cain an' Abel, Twa fine stirrahs, blest their bour. |
2. ‘A term of contempt, apparently corrupted from Sirrah’. (Jam.)
| 1816 Scott Antiq. xv, Stirra, this is no the road to Monk-barns. Ibid. xxi, Ay, and then, when the dogs barked at the lone farm-stead, the gudewife wad cry, ‘Whisht, stirra, that'll be auld Edie’. 1818 Hogg Brownie, etc. Wool-gatherer II. 125 ‘My faith, stirra!’ said she,..‘My faith, man, but ye're soon begun to a braw trade!’ |