Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SEISSLE, v., n. Also syssle. [səisl]
I. v. 1. tr. and absol. To waste (time), dawdle, trifle, fritter away (time) (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Ppl.adj. seisslin. Hence seissler, a trifler (Bwk., Rxb. 1825 Jam.).Ib.:
A seisslin body.
2. To confuse, muddle, jumble up, put in disorder (Bwk., Rxb. 1825 Jam.).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
He seissl't a' the tickets.
II. n. Trifling; footling work (Bwk., Slk. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 198, syssle).
[The same word as n.Eng. dial. sizle, = I. 1., phs. orig. from Norw., O.N. sysla, to be busy, arrange things, with extended meaning, sc. about small unimportant matters.]
