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.
DULBERT, Dulbart, n. Also †dullbert, †dolbert. A blockhead, a stupid person (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 187, dullbert; Kcb.1 1940; ‡Dmf. 1950 (per Fif.17); s.Sc. 1825 Jam.2, dolbert, Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Slk. 1825 Jam.2, dulbert, -art). Also in n.Eng. dial. Also dulbert-heid, id. (Watson).Gall. 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 293:
They never miss't the chance o' throwin a jibe at him, or makin him oot tae be a dulbert, yt wus naebuddy, an kent naething.Kcb. 1895 S. R. Crockett Bog-Myrtle ii. vi.:
As great a dulbert as there is between Saterness and the Corse o' Slakes.Dmf. 1836 A. Cunningham Lord Roldan II. vii.:
Here am I that was aye called a gowk, and a dunce, and a dulbert.
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"Dulbert n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Jan 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dulbert>
