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: 1815-1827, 1900
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†HUMDUDGEON, n. Also humdurg(e)on.
1. A fuss, needless complaint (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); in pl.: fit of sulks.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. xxiii.:
Hout tout, man — I would never be making a hum-dudgeon about a scart on the pow.Sc. 1827 Scott Two Drovers ii.:
I maun down to the Clachan to see if the lad Henry Waakfelt is out of his humdudgeons yet.
2. "A big stupid person of an evil disposition" (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 84, hum-durgon); a bungler.Kcb.4 1900:
As the souter said to his journeyman "You're a fearful humdurgeon."
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"Humdudgeon n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 22 Apr 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/humdudgeon>
