Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CLOOTIE, Clooty, adj.2, n.1 [′kluti]
1. adj. Also clootie-fisted. “Left-handed” (Dwn. c.1921 “Presbyterian” in North. Whig, clooty), hence clumsy.sm.Sc. 1988 W. A. D. and D. Riach A Galloway Glossary :
clootie-fisted left-handed.Dwn. and Ant. 1935 (per Uls.2):
The awkward way that he led the beast showed him to be about the most clootie man that I ever met.
2. n. “A left-handed person” (Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.; Ant. 1898 E.D.D.); “a left-handed batsman” (Abd.22 c.1890, now obs.).
[Origin uncertain. It is difficult to connect Ir. clé, clí, Gael. clí, in the same sense.]
