Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1787-1901
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HALLION, n. Also hallian, hal(l)yon, ha(a)lyan; hullion (Sh., Gall.), hulyon, hullen; hylan. [′hɑljən, ′hʌl-]
1. A person of slovenly dress or appearance, a good-for-nothing idler, a rascal, a clown, a clumsy fellow (Fif., Dmf. 1808 Jam.; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 251; Bnff., Lnk., Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Uls. 1934 Mid-Uls. Mail (1 Dec.); Sh., Ags., Gall., Rxb. 1956). Also used attrib. Found in n.Eng. dial.Ayr. 1787 Burns Address Beelzebub 35–36:
They lay aside a' tender mercies, An' tirl the hallions to the birses.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 26:
But should some rustic hallion see thee there.Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxii.:
Oigh, what will come o' ye gin the baillies sud come to get witting — ta filthy, gutty hallions, tat they are?Slk. 1835 Hogg Wars Montrose III. 7:
Wae be to them for a set o' greedy hallions.Fif. 1873 J. Wood Ceres Races 38:
Juist like a halyon suppin curds, He taks sic moothfu's o' the words.Bwk. 1876 W. Brockie Leaderside Leg. 5:
Nae doot they've herriet a' the bykes O' purfeit monkish drones, An' driven the lazy hallions forth.Gall. 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 28:
A' the drucken hullions in the country-side use't tae swarm about the sales tae get a gude drunk for naething.
†2. An inferior servant employed to do odd jobs (Abd. 1825 Jam.); a gentleman's servant out of livery (Rxb. Ib.; Abd. 1902 E.D.D.).
†3. An overbearing and quarrelsome woman of vulgar manners (Bwk. 1825 Jam.).
4. “A mischievous lad” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
[Origin obscure.]
