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ArchivesRe: A Scottish name Mirrin
in reply to a message by Anneza
what Buchan novel is it? I've never heard of that before. I always assumed it was from Muireann / Murron.
I don't think Scottish parents who use it today would regard it as a form of Marion. There's probably very few places left where the accent would be strong enough for them to sound the same. And it's not being used just by people who would have strong regional accents, the last 2 Mirren BAs I saw were in the Scotsman - the middle class Edinburgh paper.
My theory was that it gained some currency during the Braveheart revival with the release of the film in 1995. Murron/Mirren can sound very similar in a Scottish accent.
*A Riddle*
Whaur the fit has never been
It's there ye aye gang wi' it:
Whaur the e'e has never seen
It's there ye aye will see it.
Whan ye ken that it is near
Nane but yersel' will find it:
Whan it is nae langer there
Nane but yersel' will mind it.
I don't think Scottish parents who use it today would regard it as a form of Marion. There's probably very few places left where the accent would be strong enough for them to sound the same. And it's not being used just by people who would have strong regional accents, the last 2 Mirren BAs I saw were in the Scotsman - the middle class Edinburgh paper.
My theory was that it gained some currency during the Braveheart revival with the release of the film in 1995. Murron/Mirren can sound very similar in a Scottish accent.
Whaur the fit has never been
It's there ye aye gang wi' it:
Whaur the e'e has never seen
It's there ye aye will see it.
Whan ye ken that it is near
Nane but yersel' will find it:
Whan it is nae langer there
Nane but yersel' will mind it.
This message was edited 9/8/2008, 1:51 AM
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Replies
Found it!
In Witchwood!
"It's Marion Simpson, her that's wife to Richie Smail, the herd o' the Greenshiel. Marion, puir body, has been ill wi' a wastin' the past twalmonth, and now it seems she's near her release" (Isobel, the minister's housekeeper) .
***
"It's himsel'," she cried. "Richie, it's the minister. Wae's me, sir, but ye're ower late to speed puir Mirren. An hour syne she gaed to her reward--just slipped awa' in a fit o' hoastin'. I've strauchten'd the corp and am gettin' the deid claes ready--Mirren was aye prood o' hers, and keepit them fine and caller wi' gall and rosmry. Come forrit, sir, and tak' a look on her that's gane. There was nae deid-thraws wi' Mirren, and she's lyin' as peacefu' as a bairn. Her face is sair faun in, but I mind when it was the bonniest face in a' Rood water" (The wife of a local shepherd).
In Witchwood!
"It's Marion Simpson, her that's wife to Richie Smail, the herd o' the Greenshiel. Marion, puir body, has been ill wi' a wastin' the past twalmonth, and now it seems she's near her release" (Isobel, the minister's housekeeper) .
***
"It's himsel'," she cried. "Richie, it's the minister. Wae's me, sir, but ye're ower late to speed puir Mirren. An hour syne she gaed to her reward--just slipped awa' in a fit o' hoastin'. I've strauchten'd the corp and am gettin' the deid claes ready--Mirren was aye prood o' hers, and keepit them fine and caller wi' gall and rosmry. Come forrit, sir, and tak' a look on her that's gane. There was nae deid-thraws wi' Mirren, and she's lyin' as peacefu' as a bairn. Her face is sair faun in, but I mind when it was the bonniest face in a' Rood water" (The wife of a local shepherd).
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I wish I could remember! could be the Free Fishers, but it's been a very long time. I'll try to find it, and if I can I'll get back to you.
Of course, there's no absolute guarantee that just because JB said something, it's correct. Though it is highly likely!
Of course, there's no absolute guarantee that just because JB said something, it's correct. Though it is highly likely!
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My Scottish mother-in-law is named Mirren. She was named for her grandmother, who was named Marion but nicknamed Mirren. There is definitely a difference in pronunciation between these two names (I had my husband say them in his brogue) but Mirren may be an antiquated nickname as well as a real name in its own right.
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Lots to go on, thanks everyone ;)
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