Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1880-1930
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FITE, v. Also fyte. ne.Sc. form of White, v.2, to cut and trim (a piece of wood), to whittle, pare, sharpen (a pencil) (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 57, fyte; ne.Sc. 1951); to whet (a scythe). Often implying to idle, fritter away time, used absol. (Abd.13 1910) or in phr. to fite the (idle) pin (Bnff.2, Abd.27 1946).Abd. 1880 Sc. N. & Q. (Feb. 1929) 26:
Ye aye tell me a'll nivver dee ony gweed fitin' at sticks that gait.Abd. 1887 R. S. Robertson On Bogie's Banks 50:
'Deed, I can tell ye, oot or in, I never fite the idle pin.Abd. 1917 C. Murray Sough o' War 30:
But noo to tell hoo I wan aff fae dreelin', dubs, an' din, An' landit here wi' nocht to dae but fite the idle pin.Bnff. 1920 Banffshire Jnl. (14 Dec.):
Birze doon a full o' fytit bogie rowe.Abd. 1930 Abd. Univ. Review (March) 103:
Nae wunner tho' ye wiz cheerie, wi Jimmie fytin' awa' ahin' me and jist aside ye.
