Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SPRIKKLE, v., n. Also sprickle, sprikkel, sprik(k)l, sprikle. [sprɪkl]
I. v. To struggle, wriggle, thrash about, esp. of a fish when taken out of water (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 210, 1908 Jak. (1928), sprikkel, sprikl-, Sh. 1971).Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 53:
He sprickled to get loose, but Tommy was a stiff old customer, and he held him on.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (19 June):
Da ting o' a shiken spriklin' an' pleepin' in his neb.Sh. 1952 New Shetlander No. 31. 6:
Oot cam da Trows, spricklin laek sillicks.
II. n. A struggle, fight; writhing, wriggling; the power to struggle (Sh. 1971). Also fig.Sh. 1889 Shetland News (15 Oct.):
Da whaalp only got da wind o'm, bit an feth yon pat da sprikkl oot o' da cock wance fir a'!Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow 234:
His sprickles caused hill-claps an earth-quakes.Sh. 1963 New Shetlander No. 67. 30:
Dir a braa air a sprikkle i' wis yet!Sh. 1993 New Shetlander Sep 29:
Quick, ower quick for da men ta turn me
Fae aa da sight o da blade an da blöd
An da last sprickle ... an fled laek a thing
brunt.
