Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TIT, n.⁴ A fit of bad temper or rage (Bnff., Ags., Fif. 1972). Phrs. tit and tawm, id. (Rnf. c.1850 Crawfurd MSS. (N.L.S.) T. 131). See Taum, n., 2.; to take the tit, to become angry, to take the huff.Abd. 1901 Weekly Free Press (10 Aug.):
I hae a tit o' a temper that gets relief in plain speakin'.Ags. 1933 W. Muir Mrs Ritchie xxxiii.:
What's mother taken the tit at?

Derivs.: (1) titsam, -som, -sin, short-tempered, irritable, testy (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.); (2) tittie, -y, tettie (Rxb. 1825 Jam.), (i) = (1) (Rnf. 1825 Jam.; Ayr. c.1930; Fif. 1972); (ii) of the wind: forcible, gusty (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.); (3) tittish, = (1) (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.); (4) tittous, = (1) (Rnf. 1837 Crawfurd MSS. XI. 331). ? Cf. Tetus.