Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DIRL, v.², n.² Also dirrel.

1. v. To dangle, hang loosely (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); 1914 Angus Gl.). Fig.: to lag, to be at the tail-end.Sh.¹⁰ 1949:
She sat on the table dirlin her leegs. Da Home Guard cam doon da rod wi ee puir fellow dirlin ahint da rest.

2. n. (1) A dangling object; (2) a swaying motion; hence phr.: wi' a dirl (upon one), with a flouncing motion (to denote offence taken).(1) Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Kwatna dirl is yon at du has behint dee?(2) Sh. 1897 J. Jakobsen Dialect Sh. 17:
When a person is in a hurry, or walks off showing by the motion of his body that he is offended, it is sometimes said, “Dere's a dirrel upon him.”Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 44:
“Hit dy lumps whaur dy love lies,” Betty said, as shü turned her wi' a dirl.” . . . “Lass, be no in sic a huff.”Sh. 1938 M. Powell 200,000 Feet on Foula 240:
He [the dog] would give us a dirty look, bounce up and down on stiff legs . . . then turn and make off “with a dirrel upon him.”