Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1827
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MALLIFUFF, adj., n. Also maulifuff.
I. adj. Silly, paltry, incapable of energetic action, feckless.Sc. 1827 C. I. Johnstone Eliz. de Bruce II. xiii.:
Am I like one of your windlestrae mallifuff madams that cannot stir from their armchair till they are drammed up with their green-tea?
II. n. An ineffectual fussy woman, who lacks energy to get things done (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.). Also in reduced form mally (Abd. 1825 Jam.).
[Mallie (= Eng. Molly) + Fuff, n., something easily blown about, a puff.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Mallifuff adj., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/mallifuff>
