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.
THIN, adj., n., v. Also tin (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. vi. 223, Sh. 1928 Manson's Almanac 187). See T, letter, 9. (1) (v). Sc. forms and usages. [θɪn; I.Sc. tɪn]
I. adj. 1. As in Eng. Phrs.: thin o' claise, poorly or scantily dressed. Cf. obs. Eng. to go thin, to be thinly clad; thin-ribbit, lean, emaciated.Dmb. 1827 W. Taylor Poems 9:
The poor wha're thin o' claise, And pining in starvation.Dmf. 1912 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo 198:
I bocht a coo — a lang-legged, thin-ribbit jade.
2. Of a shot in bowts or curling: narrow, not having enough bias (Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 270). Gen.Sc.
3. Of the wind or weather, cold, bitter, piercing (Uls. 1953 Traynor Gl.). Gen. (exc. I.) Sc. Also in Eng. dial.
4. Piqued, annoyed, bitter; unfriendly (Abd., Ayr. 1972). Hence thinness, n., a quarrel, a falling-out (Id.).Ayr. 1886 J. Meikle Lintie 69:
He's thin — michty thin — at the thocht o' bein' dune by ane that's lik't by naebody.
II. n. 1. In phr. the tin o' one's side, the flank, — o da rib, id. (Sh. 1972).Sh. 1897 Shetland News (9 Oct.):
Doo'll need on my glasses afore doo reads da catechis trow da tin o' his side.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 120:
Da bruit begood ta bult me i da tin o' da side.
2. With def. art.: diarrhoea (ne.Sc., Ags. 1972).
III. v. To pick out the bones from cooked fish (Cai. 1972).Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.:
Tin: to pick the bones out of the boiled heads of fish and collect the fleshy parts.Sh. 1905 E.D.D.:
To tin a fish head.
