1 n. — Newfoundland
a state of disorder or confusion.
Type: 2. Preservation — The term ree-raw describes a state of confusion or disorder (see the 2010 quotation). Clarke (2010b: 108) lists the term under the semantic category of "human behavior"; thus, the definition of 'uproar, racket, hullabaloo' can be seen in light of noise or commotion, particularly caused from drinking alcohol (see DNE, s.v. "ree-raw"). Ree-raw is said to derive from the Irish Gaelic word "rí-rá" (Clarke 2010b: 108), defined as 'fuss, confusion, reckless merriment' (Dinneen 1927: 892). Although use of ree-raw in Newfoundland English likely derives from the Irish contribution, as a result of 18th and 19th century immigration to the province from southeast Ireland, EDD (s.v. "reel-ral" (1)) and OED-3 (s.v. "ree-raw" (A)) also mark the term as Scottish.
See also DNE, s.v. "ree-raw" and EDD, s.v. "reel-ral", which is marked "Sc. Irel. and Nfld."
2 adj. — Newfoundland, obsolete
to be eager.
Type: 2. Preservation — The term red-raw describes the state of being eager, or having a "keen appetite" (see the 1937 quotation). For example, players could be red-raw to play a game (see the 1936 quotation). It is said to derive folk etymologically from meaning 1 with phonetic adaptation of the vowel and the introduction of the consonant (see DNE, s.v. "ree-raw" (2)).
See also DNE, s.v. "ree-raw" (2).
3 expression, in the phrase on the ree-raw — especially Newfoundland, obsolete
to take action quickly, with little preparation.
Type: 2. Preservation — The phrase on the ree-raw is used to describe actions carried out with little preparation or planning (see DNE, s.v. "ree-raw" (4)). The earliest Canadian attestation of the expression comes from an Albertan source, from a list of synonyms for the state of intoxication (see the 1907 quotation), which suggests that the term was found in Canada outside Newfoundland early in the 20th century.
See also DNE, s.v. "ree-raw" (3).