Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SWEEVIL, n., v. Also sweevle; swiv(v)l(e); swavl and reduced form sweevy. Sc. forms of Eng. swivel (Sc. 1830 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) III. 48; ne.Sc., Ayr. 1972). [swi:vl; Sh. + swevl]
Sc. n. usage: a gust of wind, a short sharp gale; sweevy (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw., sweevle; I.Sc. 1972). Comb. seven-sweevy, see 1929 quot.Abd. 1882 G. MacDonald Castle Warlock I. xx.:
The snaw rins roon upo' sweevils.Sh. 1899 Shetland News (1 April):
Da swavl at da corner o' da hoos drave me faster is I wis aware o'.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
‘A seven-sweevy,' i.e. (jocularly) — a breeze necessitating the taking in of seven reefs — which is of course an impossibility.
