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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.

KEELIN, n. Also keelan, k(e)illen, keelen, kellin, keelling, k(e)illin(g), ke(a)l-, kiell-, killin. [′kilɪn]

1. The cod, Gadus morrhua, gen. a full-grown or large-sized cod (Fif. 1710 R. Sibbald Fife and Knr. 50; Abd. 1815 J. Arbuthnot Fishes 10; Sh. 1899 Evans and Buckley Fauna Shet. 225; Mry. 1925; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh., ne.Sc. 1959). Also attrib. Gen.Sc. Combs.: (1) keelin's ee, a small or near ring round the moon, looked on as a precursor of bad weather, a Broch (Bnff. c.1890 Gregor MSS.); (2) killin-kite, a nickname for an inhabitant of Colvend in Kirkcudbrightshire (Gall. 1905 E.D.D. Suppl.).Sc. 1701 Edb. Gazette (27 Nov. — 1 Dec.):
There are to be Sold at Peter Trails opposite to the Tolbooth in Leith, exceeding good Fishes, viz. dry Ling, Killing and Tusk, cured at Zetland, with Spanish Salt after the Dutch manner.Gsw. 1718 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (1909) 21:
Every killen boat, one killen and a codfish, and strangers the double.Per. 1738 Ochtertyre Ho. Bk. (S.H.S.) 168:
For two kielling . . . . 0. 1. 6.Kcd. 1813 G. Robertson Agric. Kcd. 415:
The fish commonly caught on the coast of the Mearns are haddocks, whitings, cod, (called here kiellen).Abd. 1836 Abd. Shaver (Feb.) 226:
Close up your keelan-like chafts, and lat me be.Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 70:
Den dere wis da richt kind o' knotts, dat wis lucky knotts, da shape o' ling, keillen, or tusk.Fif. 1879 G. Gourlay Fisher Life 42:
The big boats were reserved for the drave, or perhaps the “kellin lines.”Bch. 1943 W. S. Forsyth Guff o' Waur 5:
A muckle keelin', fresh and reed, That had been killed at Codlin' Heid.

2. A cod which is not full grown.Fif. 1903 St Andrews Cit. (21 March):
The St Andrews fishermen now call a cod which is not full grown a keeling.

3. A newly-spawned cod (Bnff. c.1915).Bnff.² 1920:
We got nithing for wir pains bit ae peer keelin.

4. Sometimes also applied to the ling, Molva molva, either fresh or salted (Abd. 1880–4 F. Day Fishes 306).Bnff. 1855 Naturalist V. 128:
The ling (Lata molva). Fished for with the Cod, and cured in the same manner. When salted and dried they are called “Kealing.”

5. Fig. A big, awkward person, gen. a woman (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 93, Bnff.⁷ 1927).