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.
SLOIT, v., n. Also sloyt; slowt (Fif.); and freq. form sloiter; sklowter. [slɔɪt; Fif. slʌut. See O, letter, 2. (2) (vii) (b)]
I. v. 1. To walk in a slow, slouching way, to lounge, stroll idly or carelessly about (Fif. 1970, slowt); to put off time, dawdle, slack (Fif. 1957, sklowter). Ppl.adj. sloiterin, loafing, making a pretence of working (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.).Ags. 1825 Jam.:
To sloit awa, to pass on in a careless manner.Lnk. a.1882 W. Watt Poems (1860) 233:
He got it sweel'd fu' swamp; Bang'd on his claise, and sloiter'd out.Fif. 1912 P. Smith Fisher Folk (1952) 11:
They're never sloutin' far behind.
2. To work in a messy way or at some wet and dirty job. Ppl.adj. sloiterin.Lnk. 1825 Jam.:
A sloiterin' creature, one who takes pleasure in work of this description.
II. n. An idle lay-about, a lazy, slovenly person, a “slow-coach”, dawdler (Rnf. 1825 Jam., sloit, Lnk. Id., sloiter); a dirty person in appearance or in eating (Lnk. 1880 Jam.).Kcb. 1894 Crockett Raiders xxi.:
Ye muckle sloyt, come hame wi' the water this meenit.
