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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1921

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PALLION, n.1 Also pullion, pullyun (Abd., Per. 1921 T.S.D.C.), pillion.

1. Usu. in pl., rags, tatters, useless or worn-out articles of clothing (Lth. 1825 Jam., pillion; Per. 1921 T.S.D.C.; Uls. 1930). Cf. Pell.

2. A big, unwieldy article of cloth or clothing, a clumsy old-fashioned garment (Uls. 1930); a bundle of clothes, and fig., one who is wearing a lot of clothes (Uls. 1953 Traynor).Mry. 1921 T.S.D.C.:
My airms is sair, vringin' that pallions o' clooty-coverins.

3. Fig. A big, gangling raw-boned man (Mry., Bnff. 1921 T.S.D.C.) or woman (Mry. 1921 T.S.D.C.), a rough ungainly or worthless type of person, a wretch, a scold (Mry., Bnff. 1920).Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.:
He's a nasty pullion.

[Orig. doubtful. Phs. specialised or extended uses of obs. Eng. pallion, a kind of ecclesiastical vestment, O.Sc. pallioun, a.1510. For semantic development, cf. Pell, and Pilch.]

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