Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DODDLE, v.
1. intr. †(1) With about: “to wag about; spoken of something heavy or unwieldy moving now in one direction, then in another, with an easy motion, as a little child, or an old man” (Dmf. 1825 Jam.2).
Hence doddle-doddle, adv., shaking fom side to side, wobbling.Sc. 1920 C. Jerdan Sc. Clerical Stories xviii.:
When he shook his heid i' the poopit, his cheeks gaed doddle-doddle.
(2) To walk feebly or slowly (Bnff.2, Abd.2 1940). Also in Eng. dial.Sc. 1897 “L. Keith” My Bonnie Lady 56:
It did not seem to him the daft-like thing it was that he, an old, failed man, should be doddling there.
2. tr. To dandle (a child).Gall. 1877 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 306:
When they were hotchin or doddlin the weans on their knee.
