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.
TANTY, adj. Also tontie. Unstable, ready to fall, giddy (Ork. 1929 Marw.); fig. ready to take offence, touchy (Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 225), “childish, freakish” (Ork. 1922 J. Firth Reminiscences 155), phs. to be associated rather with taunt. Cf. Tant, v., 2.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 101, 135:
Some folk, can tak' an' gae a fun, But thu're as tanty aye wi' me . . . I kent mae heid grow tanty Tae see twa friends sae grim an' fell.
