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.
DULL, adj., n. Sc. usages.
1. adj. Deaf, hard of hearing (Sc. 1779 J. Beattie Scoticisms 5, 1808 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Gen. in phr. dull o(f) hearing, id. Also in Eng. dial. Gen.Sc.Sc. 1736 Crim. Trials illustrative of “H. Midlothian” (1818) 182:
He has been as dull of hearing these seven years past.Sc. 1799 H. Mitchell Scotticisms 30:
When a man does not hear well, the Scotch think it genteel to call him dull rather than deaf.Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet xx.:
What! are ye ower grand to give me an answer, or are ye dull o' hearing!Mry. 1865 W. H. L. Tester Poems 194:
Gar the dull gowk hear . . . For he's dead-deaf they say.Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick xx.:
I'm gey dull o' hearin, an' my sicht's failin me.Ayr. 1870 J. K. Hunter Life Studies 274:
Being a wee dull o' hearing.
†2. n. A slack period (in trade).Ayr. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 V. 372, Note:
Many of the weavers have been thrown idle, and reduced to a state of starvation. What they call a dull has set in.
