Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡SOORLDAB, n. Also -dah, -dall. [surl′dɑb]
1. The knockout blow, “the kibosh”, esp. in phr. to gie something (someone) its (his) soorldab, to put paid to, to finish, to polish off, to spoil (Fif. 1957; wm.Sc. 1971). Cf. Clourin dab (Clour).Ags. 1964 D. Phillips Hud Yer Tongue 57:
Stushies and Stramashes continue to be the subject of speakalations, and the influence of the soorl-dah is still liable to cause the best-laid plans to “come oot o' the shewin.”
2. A quick tidy-up, a “lick and a promise” (Ags. 1953).
[Orig. obscure. Poss. from Surrl, swirl, + dab, a blow.]
