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.
RUTHER, n.2, v. Also rudder.
I. n. 1. An outcry, uproar, to-do, a noisy disturbance (Sc. 1825 Jam.); a loud acclamation. Also in comb. rutherair (see Rair), id.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 24:
For sick a ruther raise, tweesh riving hair, Skreeding o' kurches, crying dool and care.Ags. 1815 G. Beattie Poems (1882) 177:
He gaed a wild and loud guffaw; Raised sic a rutherair and clatter.Kcd. a.1884 Bards Ags. (Reid 1897) 154:
A bauld rutherair when we name John Fordoun.
2. Turmoil, chaos, wreck, ruin (Abd. 1910), esp. in phr. to gang to the rudder (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.). Also in comb. ruthergowff, id., (Id.). See Gowf, n.2, 2.Abd. 1922 Swatches o' Hamespun 72:
Amo' the fremt, een oot o' a hun'er, mak's gweed; the lave gyang to the rudder.
II. v. To raise an outcry, to storm, to roar (Kcd. 1825 Jam.).
[Of obscure orig. Cf. Rothos, Ruddie.]
