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.
PARAFFLE, n., v. Also parafle (Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxi.).
I. n. 1. A flourish, ostentatious display, fuss (s.Sc. 1825 Jam.).Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet Letter v.:
Touching the subject of this paraffle of words, it's not worth a pinch of tobacco.Sc. 1842 Tait's Mag. (Oct.) 637:
Geordie, man, ye'll no ken yoursel' in a' that paraffle o' purple an' fine linen.
2. Embroidery, fancy work (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.).
II. v. Vbl.n. parafling, wordy equivocation, time-wasting evasion, the making of an ostentatious fuss.Abd. 1825 Jam.:
“Nane o' your parafling, haud up your hand and swear, or I'll send you to prison,” said to a witness by a Buchan Bailie of Aberdeen.Sc. 1827 C. I. Johnstone Eliz. de Bruce I. xiii.:
I hate a' parade and vainglorious paraffling.
