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.
GYTER, n., v. Also gytter, geitter. Cf. Gutter, n., v.1 [′gəitər]
I. n. 1. “Nonsense; foolish talk” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 61, Bnff. 1880 Jam.; Mry., Abd. 1955).
2. A stupid, talkative person, a senseless driveller (Gregor; wm.Sc. 1917 Thistle (May) 95, gytter; ne.Sc. 1955). Also geitteral, a very stupid person (Gregor; Bnff. 1946).Abd. 1847 Gill Binklets 70:
Ye stupid auld gyter — ye're waur than a feel.
3. Fig. = ruin, in phr. to be aa tae the geitter, to go to wrack and ruin, to go “all to pot” (Abd.27 1954).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 61:
The young lad's a' t' the geitter.
II. v. 1. “To talk a great deal in a silly twaddling manner” (Ib.; Abd.27 1954).Abd. 1932 Abd. Book-Lover (Nov.) 70:
An' idle, eeseless, gyterin' clatch, Awat! she's juist your mark.
2. To do any kind of work in an awkward, trifling manner; “sometimes used with other words, and sometimes by itself, with the preposition at” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 61; Abd.27 1954), to potter about awkwardly.
[Freq. of Gyte, q.v.]
