Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1923-1928
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DIDDER, Dider, v. and n. Cf. Dither.
1. v.
(1) To move jerkily (Sh.10 1949; w.Sc. 1887 Jam.6 s.v. dilder; Ayr.4 1928, obsol.).Abd. 1923 J. R. Imray Village Roupie 30:
I've jogged alang my daily roun's Wi' meal cairt didrin' at my tail.Ags. 1924 A. Gray Any Man's Life 79:
I see his light Come diddering through the silent night.
(2) “To dribble, ooze, trickle, glide” (w.Sc. 1887 Jam.6).
(3) To trifle, to dawdle (w.Sc. 1887 Jam.6).Ayr.4 1928:
He's just didderin' aboot.
‡2. n. “A smart jerk, shake, jolt” (w.Sc. 1887 Jam.6; Ayr.4 1928, obsol.).
[O.Sc. has diddir, to tremble, shiver, a.1400, Mid.Eng. dyder, c.1440. Prob. a freq. from an onomat. root did-: cf. Dad, v.1, n.2, with similar meanings, n.Eng. dial. dadder, Eng. dodder, etc.]
