Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TATTER, v.¹, n.²

I. v. To talk idly, prate, chatter; to scold. Obs. exc. dial. in Eng. Agent n. tatterer, a voluble talker, a chatterbox. Vbl.n. tatterin, a scolding, rebuke (s.Sc. 1972).wm.Sc. 1854 Laird of Logan 34:
He's ravin' now — he's just tatterin', dinna mind ony mair that he says.Kcb. 1885 A. J. Armstrong Friend and Foe xxxviii.:
His faither a' ower, an he was a tatterer.Kcb. 1911 G. M. Gordon Auld Clay Biggin' 10:
When I speak o' the auld Laird I cud juist gae tatterin' on for ever.Dmf. 1915 J. L. Waugh Betty Grier 32:
Ye've gi'en me a gey tatterin' afore Maister Weelum here.

II. n. In phr. to gie (somebody) tatter, to scold, vilify, abuse (someone) (Kcb. 1972).