Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FITLESS, adj. Sc. form and usages of Eng. footless.
1. Unsteady on the feet, tottery, apt to stumble, either from weakness or inattention, of men and animals (Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 102). Gen.Sc.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 31:
Francie lived but just a year, A fitless, dottled man.Edb. 1900 E. H. Strain Elmslie's Drag-Net 13:
I was as weakan' fitless as a year auld wean.
2. Comb.: †fitless cock, a kind of oatmeal dumpling; “a cake baked of lard and oatmeal, and boiled among broth; also denominated a sodden banno', usually made about Fastern's Een or Shrovetide” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); in Cld. the name is applied to a ball of blood and meal boiled (Ib.).Sc. 1826 “Meg Dods” Manual i. 55:
Oatmeal Dumpling, or a Fitless Cock. — This antique Scotch dish, which is now seldom seen at any table, is made of suet and oatmeal, with a seasoning of pepper, salt, and onions, as for white puddings, the mixture bound together with an egg, and moulded somewhat in the form of a fowl. It must be boiled in a cloth.Sc. 1950s "Farandman" The Speirin Scot :
fitless cock ...an old Scottish dish of oatmeal, suet and seasoning, bound together with an egg, and bound in a cloth.
