Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FIDDER, fither, v., n.¹

I. v. To flutter, lit. and fig. (Kcb. 1950); to be in a state of excitement; to hover in a stationary position as a hawk, or a bird over its nest (Dmf. 1825 Jam.).Kcb. 1815 J. Gerrond Poet. Works 109:
Dear brither, I fidder At mention o' your name.Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 159:
There's a badly spelled letter announcing her engagement. She would be fiddering — i.e., she would be in a flutter.

II. n. 1. A shudder “which overtakes one after ensconcing oneself under the blankets, esp. on a frosty night” (Kcb.⁴ 1900).

2. A flutter, an excited state, a scurry.Ayr. 1790 J. Fisher Poems 90:
Wha met her i' the trance that een, As she cam wi a fither. Mry. 1955 Bulletin (1 Nov.):
We are in a bit of a fither with the beasts just now.