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.
SLUDDER, v., n. Also sluther. [′slʌdər, -ðer. See D, 4.]
I. v. 1. To swallow (food, etc.) noisily, to gulp down (food or drink) (Sc. 1808 Jam., Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., sluther). Also used intr. Also fig., to swallow or slur one's words (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.). Cf. Slidder.
2. To move or carry out work carelessly or messily, to walk clumsily, “with a heavy heaving gait” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 169); to act in a slovenly manner (Sc. 1825 Jam., sluther). Comb. sluther bane, n., a lazy slut, a sloven (Abd.19 1930). Also attrib. and in ppl.adj. form sludderban(e)d, untidy, sluttish (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.).
II. n. 1. (1) Any wet or slimy substance, mud, mire, filth (Sc. 1904 E.D.D.); a mass of such substance, a quagmire, morass (Sc. 1825 Jam., sluther). Hence sluddery, sluthery, adj., of food: sloppy, soft, flaccid (Fif. 1808 Jam.); (2) a large quantity or heap of anything (Sh. 1878 E.D.D.).(1) Slk. 1918 Border Mag. (Jan.) 16:
As I crossed a “sluther,” walking gingerly, as if on thin ice.
2. A dirty messy job or task; a piece of carelessly or slatternly done work (Cld. 1880 Jam., sluther).
3. A slovenly person, a slut (‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., sluther).
[Also in Eng. dial. Cf. Mid. Du. sludder, a sloven, sluddern, to be weak, soft and flabby, L.Ger. schluddern, schloddern, id., sluder, a dazed, weary state.]
