Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BEETLE, n. A children's word for a policeman, also blue-beetle (Abd. 1922). [Prob. orig. a childish deformation of beadle with a play on beetle, the insect, and phs. Bittle, n.1]
