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: 1827-1933
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FITTER, v. Also feeter (Cai.), fitther (Uls.).
†1. tr. “To injure anything by frequent treading” (Sc. 1808 Jam.).
2. intr. To patter, to make a light repeated noise with the feet (Ib.); to move (the feet) restlessly, to fidget, esp. with the feet (ne.Sc., Ags., Fif., Dmf. 1951). Also fig. Ppl.adj. feeterin, fussy, fidgetty (Cai.8 1934).Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry 181:
Owr him wi' a boastfu' shout They ran wi' fitterin' feet.wm.Sc. 1837 Laird of Logan 135:
Aboon me I heard a sair strusslin', fitterin', pechin', and grainin'.Clc. 1852 G. P. Boyd Misc. Poems 7:
His pet-lamb fitters at his feet.Cld. 1880 Jam.:
He gaes fitterin' out an' in a' day.Per. 1881 R. Ford Hum. Sc. Readings 58:
What's he fitterin' at, I winder.Uls. 1924 North. Whig (23 Jan.):
Senseless men will fitther at trifling things.Sc. 1933 W. Soutar Seeds in the Wind 30:
The wind withoot a hishie Fitters in atween the fleurs an' shogs them, ane be ane.
3. intr. To totter, walk unsteadily, as a young child (Sc. 1825 Jam.); to be awkward in walking, to stumble, shamble (Cai.3 1950).Abd. 1888 Bon-Accord (4 Aug.) 20:
He “fittered” up the front walk, feeling his way ahead tremulously with an umbrella.Ags. 1894 J. Inglis Oor Ain Folk 23:
That's a d—d fitterin' brute o' a powney o' yours.
