Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
COOL, COUL, Kool, Kul(l), n. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. cowl, a monk's hood. [kul]
1. A woollen cap, “a baby's woollen cap” (Fif.10 1937); “a close cap worn within doors” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D., cool); “a sailor's ‘sou'-wester'” (Ib., kool); a night-cap (Sc. 1825 Jam.2, coul); a smoking cap. Also dims. coolie, kul(l)i, “a snug-fitting cap without a brim” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., kulli); “skull-cap” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), kuli). Known to Abd.22, Ags.1, Slg.3, Lnl.1, Lnk.3, Kcb.1 1937.Sc. 1737 Ramsay Sc. Proverbs 31:
He wears twa Faces beneath ae Coul.Sh.(D) 1919 T. Manson Humours Peat Comm. II. 2:
Wan time dey [women] hae a thing . . . laek a mutch; neist its laek a aald man's coolie.Ags. 1879 J. Y. Geddes New Jerusalem 119:
An' Jean has sent a smoking cool . . . Sae we bude send a broidered stool. In phr. to pu' on the cool an' the mutch, “part of the obs. practices of the ‘bedding' at a wedding” (Gall. 1898 E.D.D.).Lnk. 1881 A. Wardrop J. Mathison's Courtship, etc. 33:
You've dune me oot o' the pleasure o' pu'in the cool an' the mutch on this mornin'.
2. Fig.: “a raised peak in the centre of the foam on home-brewed ale” (Sc. 1901 Scotsman (20 Aug.)).
3. A dunce's cap in school. Peb. 1899 J. Grossart Chronicles 83:
When any of her pupils did wrong they were compelled to stand in a corner wearing the "dolt's coul." Looking back it was very amusing to see two or so "dolts" wearing the coul - a long paper hat.
