Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†MUTTLE, n. Also mutl, muttel; moitle (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 145).
1. A small knife such as is used for gutting herring (Sh. 1825 Jam., 1914 Angus Gl.), esp. in taboo usage. Phr. to be upo de point o' ane's muttel, to be exceedingly merry, in high spirits (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Ib.:
Muttel, mostly applied to a knife used for coarse purposes, or an old, blunt knife, e.g. for gutting small fish, also for loosening shellfish (limpets) from the sea-rocks or from their shells; a shellin'-muttel.
2. (The blade of) a small spade (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
[Norw. mutel, a small knife.]
