Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PILE, n.3 Also pyl (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).
Sc. usages:
1. As in Eng., the nap on a piece of cloth. Phr. †short in the pile, quick-tempered, testy, irritable.Wgt. 1877 G. Fraser Wigtown 275:
He was very “short in the pile”, and his temper was sorely put to the test.
2. The layer of grease or fat which accumulates on the surface of the boiling liquid when fat meat or the like is cooked, scum (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 175, 1914 Angus Gl., ‡Sh. 1965).Sh. 1892 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 250:
We boils da coo's head and da skenk-houghs, an' sic a sap o' pile as came aff o' dat pot!Sh. 1965:
Pile was an old-time dish, made from the fat skimmed off a pot of reestit mutton. The fat was either mixed with bursteen or the bursteen was put on top of it.
3. The rippling motion on water made by a fish breaking surface (Kcd. 1825 Jam.).
