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.
IDIOTICAL, adj., n. [idi′otɪkl]
I. adj. Idiotic, foolish, senseless, stupid (ne. and em.Sc. 1958). Now obs. in Eng.Sc. 1751 Smollett Pereg. Pickle IV. 74:
The idiotical hag that writes, or causes to be writ, this same letter, has ruined her family.Sc. 1835 H. Miller Scenes & Leg. 427:
Persons of an idiotical cast of mind.Fif.10 1945:
I never heard onything sae idiotical as that!
II. n. Nonsense, a foolish thing, trash. Gen. found in pl.Ayr. 1826 Galt Lairds i.:
No to summer and winter on idioticals . . . the Laird told me, that he would na be at hame to a living soul.Per. 1902 E.D.D.:
Newspapers are characterized as idioticals.
