spier

[ spahy-er ]

/ ˈspaɪ ər /

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noun

a person who spies, watches, or discovers.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of spier

Middle English word dating back to 1225–75; see origin at spy, -er¹

Knight met Havoc through Kay Thompson, as they both were married to the same man, Bill Spier (“separately, of course”).
Eloise at 55|Rachel Syme|November 1, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Eh, lassie, I was gangin' to spier at the lodge, gin there's a bit dog leevin' i' the kirkyaird.
Greyfriars Bobby|Eleanor Atkinson
An' syne, wi' the folk comin' to spier for 'im an' swarmin' ower the kirkyaird, ye'd think a warlock was aboot.
Greyfriars Bobby|Eleanor Atkinson
Instantly Haeckel overturned the candle and, picking up the chair, hurled it at Herman Spier.
Long Live the King|Mary Roberts Rinehart

At Spier Falls the head is 80 feet, and at Mechanicsville it is 18 feet.
Electric Transmission of Water Power|Alton D. Adams
Of course I thought it was a' broken aff wi' puir Jean, an' I wondered what she wud spier at the marriage.
Life in the Clearings versus the Bush|Susanna Moodie