Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
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.
