There’s something special about small words (admit it, you love the word “wee”). In the Shetland and Orkney dialects of Scots, one such word is peerie.
Peerie means small or tiny. You might hear someone in Shetland say:
“A peerie lass ran by the shop,”
meaning “A little girl ran by the shop.”
Peerie is often used affectionately, not just to describe size, but also to express fondness. You can have a peerie bairn (small child), a peerie flower, or even a peerie cup o’ tea.
Word Origin
The origins of peerie trace back to Shetland Scots, which itself has strong influences from both Old Norse and Scots. Some scholars think peerie may come from Old Norse words like pírr (meaning “small” or “tiny”), while others suggest it might have evolved from mainland Scots words for smallness or youth.
Today
The word peerie remains largely the same today. It isn’t a factual sort of “small,” rather it’s more like wee, a word you’d use for something you’re fond of. A peerie dog might be a beloved little terrier—it’s as much about affection as it is about scale.
You’ll still find the word peerie used today in local songs, poetry, and even business names, like Peerie Shop Café in Lerwick’s town centre.