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.
FITTER, n. 1. A person, in relation to some activity or quality of his feet, usually in a fig. sense, see esp. Fit, n.1, 3. Only used with epithets: (1) a good (ill) fitter, one who brings good (bad) luck; (2) a left fitter, used by Protestants of a Roman Catholic (Slg., Clc., wm.Sc. 1950). See Dig, v., 4. Prob. of Uls. origin.(1) Abd. 1895 “N. Roy” Horseman's Word xvi.:
He'll be sayin' they want nae ill-fitters there.Uls. 1901 North. Whig (8 May):
If the bride turns out a success, the husband is congratulated on having met with a good “fitter.”
2. A fisherman's tabu-name for a cat (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Also in forms footer (Sh. 1905 E.D.D. Suppl.; Jak.), four-footer (Jak.). Cf. Foodin, Fittin, n.2
