Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HATTER, n.2 Sc. usage in phr. like a hatter, with the utmost energy or vigour, with all one's might and main, “like mad.” Gen.(exc. s.)Sc.Per. 1857 J. Stewart Sketches 44:
I birl'd my tip'ce [2d.] too like a hatter.Lnk. 1865 J. Hamilton Poems 133:
Ye maun rin like a hatter Bring up twa pails fou o' clear caller water.Sc. 1891 R. Ford Thistledown 327:
When tyrant Death grim o'er him stood He faced him like a hatter.Ags. 1892 A. Reid Howetoon 132:
He'll work like a hatter.
