Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DIRRYDAN, n. In phr. to play dirrydan, to behave in a riotous disputatious manner, to be at high jinks.Edb. 1928 A. D. Mackie In Two Tongues 5:
Na! since the beginnin' O' sapient man Hae reason and instinct Played dirrydan.
[The word is borrowed from Dunbar's In Secreit Place ix., where it is used of sexual intercourse. Cf. also O.Sc. dirrye dantoun, the name of a dance or caper, c.1500.]
