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.
RIGLIN, n.1 Also rigglin(g), riglen; riglan(d); raglin (‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). A male animal with one testicle in the scrotum and the other undescended (Ork., n., em., sm. and s.Sc. 1968). Also of men. [′rɪglən]Abd. c.1782 Ellis E.E.P. V. 774:
Your fader wiz a riglin and your midder wiz a witch.Sc. 1787 W. Taylor Poems 66:
A Riglen Ram, an' thirty yowes.Sc. 1803 Farmer's Mag. (Nov.) 399:
One kind are called riglands, having one stone in the scrotum, and another in the back, a little behind the kidneys.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 191:
Nae wadder fleet can ower them jump, . . . E'en Rigling Rallions.Sc. 1849 H. Stephens Bk. Farm. I. 534:
It is improbable that the breeders of this country will follow a practice which will let loose such a horde of riglins amongst their herds.Edb. 1940 R. Garioch 17 Poems for 6d. 7:
A makar is a rigglin amang stots, fidgin wi virr, unsiccar o success.
