On 05/11/2009 15:56, Jeff wrote: >> Alison Kilpatrick wrote: >> Transcribed from the 5 November 1822 edition of The Strabane Morning >> Post newspaper, by permission of The British Library: >> >> Died. >> At Grahamston, Glasgow, Wm. Gordon, aged 97, <snip> >> and what may appear most singular, a roomful of boys'tops, peeries, whips, >> &c. > What are "Peeries"? The only time I've heard the term was in Ireland to > describe sheepdogs. In Northern Ireland (and Scotland as well) a "Peerie" was a wooden spinning top. It was only a couple of inches tall. A "whip"(just a piece of stick with a string attached) was used to propel it. The string was wound round the peerie and the whip flicked so that the peerie spun round, spinning on the ground. Happy memories of childhood in Belfast !!!! See also :- <http://members.lycos.co.uk/govanchildhood/sheila.htm> Sixth photo down and description. Regards, SammyM