Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
NODDLE, n., v. Also nodle. Sc. usages:
I. n. 1. As in dial. Eng., the back of the head, the nape of the neck. Comb. ¶noddle-araid [ < ower head], adv., head foremost (Tvd. 1825 Jam.).
2. Transf.: the temper.Edb. 1843 J. Ballantine Gaberlunzie i.:
His noddle gets up like a tap o' tow, but his bark's waur than his bite.
II. v. In ppl.adj. noddlet, fuddled with drink, phs. a conflation of Eng. slang noddy-headed, id., with fuddled. Cf. also Noitled.Slk. 1875 Border Treasury (10 April) 418:
Baith the Laird and Wullie gat gey weel noddlt afore they thoucht o' takin in a link.
