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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

OFF-PIT, n., v., adj. Also off-put. See also Affpit.

I. n. 1. An excuse, evasion, pretext, reason for delay (Sc. 1880 Jam.; Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 16; Fif., Edb., Arg., sm. and s.Sc., Uls. 1964).Sc. 1730 R. Wodrow Corresp. (1843) III. 458:
The delays and off-puts in the matter of Mr. Glass.Bte. 1750 Session Bk. Rothesay (1931) 480:
The Kilmichael's elder and younger, gave them always offputs for their money and that they are in no disposition to pay either principal or annual rents.Sc. 1835 J. W. Carlyle Letters (1883) I. 36:
He replied he . . . would look in at eight o'clock. I supposed this, as usual, a mere off-put; but he actually came.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
It was duist an offpit! A ken 'im owre weel!

2. A makeshift, specif. a hasty meal (Cai. 1903 E.D.D.; Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 16; Lth., s.Sc. 1964).Lth. 1882 J. Strathesk Blinkbonny ix.:
The family dinner was, in Bell's phrase, an “offpit”.

3. One who or that which delays, a procrastinator (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; sm. and s.Sc. 1964). Phr. an off-put o' time, a time-wasting occupation or activity (Sc. 1903 E.D.D.; Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 16). Also in Nhb. dial.Lth. 1856 M. Oliphant Lilliesleaf xxxvii.:
The game of chess, which is a great divert, I doubt not, to them that can do it, but a very hard thing to learn, and a great off-put of time.e.Dmf.² 1931:
Oor Jock was aye an offpit.

II. v. To put off. Only in ppl.adj. offputting, evasive, calculated to delay, playing for time; vbl.n. offputting, (1) = n., 1. (Sc. 1880 Jam.). Cf. Affpittin; (2) the act of putting away or getting rid of.Ags. 1894 Westminster Gaz. (20 Nov.) 7:
Sir John used to answer with an offputting typewritten letter.(1) Edb. 1737 Proposal for Retrieving the Sinking State of Edb. 15:
There may be no excuse, off-putting or delay.(2) Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 297:
Sweet in the on taking, but soure in the off putting. Spoken of Debt for the most part, but apply'd to Sin, sensual Pleasure, and the like.

III. adj. Temporary, makeshift (Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 16).