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.
‡PIPSYLLIS, n. Also pipsylills. A disease, possibly epilepsy (Bch., Abd. 1911 Abd. Weekly Jnl. (20 Jan.)). Also used loosely of other undefined conditions, with an insinuation of malingering (Bch., Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C., Abd. 1965). See quot.Abd.13 1910:
If any one is absent, one will say to the other “Fat's the maitter wi' Jamie?” “Ach it's the pipsylills”, meaning that they are shamming.
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"Pipsyllis n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pipsyllis>
