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.
HULSTER, v., n. Also holster, huilster (Rxb.). Cf. Houster.
I. v. 1. To hoist a load on to one's back (Sc. 1911 S.D.D. Add.; Abd., Per. 1957), to struggle along under a heavy burden (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 83). Also with aboot or with. Vbl.n. hulsteran (Ib.). With refl. force: to rouse oneself, get under way, set to work (Ork. 1929 Marw., holster); “to make ready for departure” (Ork. 1922 J. Firth Reminisc. 152). Phr. to holster (somebody) along, to help (someone) along by taking his arm (Dmf. 1957).Abd.7 1925:
Often I have heard it said of a little girl who had a baby to carry in her arms that she “wisna fit t' hulster with that bairn.” It may mean the carrying of too heavy a burden.
2. To be overburdened with clothes, to clutter oneself up with too many garments (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Ppl.adj. hulstert, untidily bunched or rucked up, in an untidy pile (Abd., Rxb. 1957).
3. To walk heavily as if laden, to drag one's feet along (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 83; Abd. 1957). Also ppl.adj. hulstrin' (Ib.).
II. n. 1. An upwards hoist, a push (Abd. 1925; Bnff., Abd., Per. 1957).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 83:
Gee ma birn a hulster on a ma back.
2. A load of any kind (Sc. 1911 S.D.D. Add.).
3. A big awkward person (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 83), a clumsy, untidily-dressed person (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
[Of uncertain orig. Cf. Houster. In sense 2. of the v., the word may be a back-formation from Eng. upholster, v.]
