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.
PITTER-PATTER, v., adv. Sc. usages of Eng. pitter-patter, which was not orig. used as a verb.
I. v. 1. tr. To repeat (words, etc.) in a mechanical, sing-song way, “to repeat prayers after the Romish manner” (Sc. 1808 Jam.).Sc. 1706 J. Watson Choice Coll. i. 48:
The Cleck Geese leave off to clatter, . . . And Priests, Maria's to pitter-patter.Sc. 1770 Hailes Ancient Sc. Poems 247:
Pitter patter is an expression still used by the vulgar; it is in allusion to the custom of muttering pater-nosters.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 134:
Sir Freir began wi' blitter-blatter His pray'rs to saints to pitter-patter.
2. intr. “To move up and down inconstantly, making a clattering noise with the feet” (Sc. 1808 Jam.), to trot around audibly, walk backwards and forwards. Cf. Paiter, v.2 Hence pittertae-pat(tertae), adv., with quick pattering steps, helter-skelter; with a rapid beating of the heart, pit-a-pat.Ags. 1887 A. Willock Rosetty Ends 51:
Wi' my heart playin' pitterty-pat against my ribs.Rxb. 1913 Kelso Chron. (4 April):
The members cam' frae a' airths pittertae-pattertae.
II. adv. In a fluttering, palpitating manner, “all in a flutter” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 383).
[Reduplic. formations from Paiter, v.1 and v.2]
