A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1499-1690
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Slid(d)(e)rie, -y, adj. Also: slidderrie, slyd(d)rie, -y, slederie. [ME and e.m.E. slid(d)ri (13th c.), slidery (c1325), sledery (Wyclif), slydrye (Caxton), slidderie (1640), thereafter, appar., obs.; Slidder adj. Cf. MDu. sliderich.]
1. Slippery, such that one might slip and fall. Also proverb. and fig.a1500 Henr. Fab. 1835 (Bann.).
Slonkis and slak maid slidderie [H. slidderrie] with the sleit c1515 Asloan MS I 161/30.
Men may nocht clym the hill the way is so sliddry 1513 Doug. v vi 80.
He slaid … on the slydry grond 1513 Doug. x vi 42.
And slyddry glar so from wallys went That oft thar feyt was smyttyn vp on loft 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 134.
Paring away the grene gars, and making all thingis smothe and sliddrie from climming of the wallis 1583–4 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 328.
The hie streitt of the Over Bow is … become swa slidderie that it is hurtfull to man and beist passand vp and down the sam 1635 Dickson Wr. 9.
They were set in sliddery places, and couped over the brae into the pit 1685 Lauder Observes 146.
They threw water on ther ramparts, which frezing, made them so slidery that none could stand or goe theiruponproverb. and fig. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1050.
Ȝe ar the lamps … To leid them on this sliddrie rone of yce 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 102.
Full slyddrie is the sait that thay on sit 1596 Dalr. II 6/11.
The lyues of kings and princes euir haud [pr. hand] amang stanie and slidrie places 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 81/22.
The highest benche is sliddriest to sit vpon 1597 Calderwood V 659 (see Hall n. 4 b). a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 335.
Hall binkes are sliddrie 1651 Comm. Gen. Assembly III 473.
It is our humble requeast unto God that, while yow walke in slidderie places, yow may keepe your garments cleane and former zeale against all things contrarie to sound doctrine 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 211.
They stand upon slippery and sliddery stones, and shall soon fall heels over head c1690 Bk. Pasquils 179.
Sure, of a settled throne that prince despairs, Who mounts his throne by crook'd and slidderie stairs
2. Smooth, slippery to or as to the touch.(a) 1513 Doug. ii viii 61.
Hir [sc. adder's] slydry body in hankis rownd al run a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 536.
I have a sliddrie eill by the tail 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 158/841.
The sliddrie bowels 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 158/863.
A stone which stops … The sliddrie vreter 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. I 21.
Your bow … A sliddrie shaft forth of its forks did fling(b) 1551 Hamilton Catechism 118.
Lyk to ane slederie eil that may be haldin be the heid, and nocht be the tail
3. fig. Unreliable, uncertain, unstable; untrustworthy.1596 Dalr. I 292/10.
Quhair may be seine how vnconstant and slidrie was the end of that battell 1629 Mure Sonn. x 4.
Quhose othe & promeis ar a slidrie ground To build wpon, to make a man assuird 1638 Johnston Diary I 366.
Quhairin my nature wil be most sliperie and sliderie except … the Lord … hold me be the hand c1650 Red Bk. Grandtully II 144.
Ȝow haue to do with a slidderie pak sum of them both fals and fikkell
