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.
HULE, n.1 Also huil, heul, hew(e)l, hyule. [hyl, hjul]
1. A mischievous, perverse, cantankerous or objectionable person or animal, a troublesome child, a rakish youth (Fif., s.Sc. 1825 Jam.; Kcb.4 1900; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., huil; Kcb., Dmf. 1957). Sometimes used playfully like Eng. rogue, rascal.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 85, 109:
Auld Maminn, the hule for clubbing lees. . . . The first wife I had was a hule o' a woman.Kcb. 1895 Crockett Bog-Myrtle ii. i.:
He was usually referred to as “that loon,” “the hyule,” “Wattie, ye mischeevious boy.” For he was a stirring lad, and his restlessness frequently brought him into trouble.Gall. 1913 Gallovidian No. 58. 69:
There's throwin' up o' bonnets 'mang the steerin' country hules.
2. Used similarly to devil, deuce in colloq. Eng. in such phrs. as what the hule; a hule of a —; the hule an' a' for (Kcb.6 c.1916; Rxb. 1957).Dmf. 1863 R. Quinn Heather Lintie 99:
Or what the hule's come on ye This mony a day?Kcb.1 1936:
A gnawing pain is often spoken of as “a heul of a pain.”
