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.
†KILLMOULIS, n. Also killmoullach (Rxb. c.1830 Proc. Bwk. Nat. Club (1916) 98), ‡killmowler (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). A hobgoblin inhabiting a kiln, represented as having no mouth (Rxb. 1825 Jam.), or “regarded as having a ‘bluidy mow'” (Watson). [kɪl′mulɪs]s.Sc. c.1830 Proc. Bwk. Nat. Club (1916) 98:
Auld Killmoulis wantin' the mou, Come t'ma ye now, come t'ma ye now.s.Sc. 1866 W. Henderson Folk-Lore 214:
Kilmoulis is a peculiar species of Brownie, who has no mouth. He haunts the mill and resides in the killogie or space before the fireplace in the kiln. He often torments the goodman by throwing “isles” or ashes when sheelin or shelled oats are spread out to dry.
