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.
TILT, v., n.1 Sc. usages:
I. v. 1. As in Eng. Sc. comb. and deriv.: †(1) tilter, an early type of reaping-machine in which the grain was delivered cut on to a platform which then had to be tilted up to tip it on the ground; the man who operated the tipping apparatus; †(2) tiltin raeper, a reaper of the tilter type.(1) Rs. 1936 C. Macdonald Echoes of Glen 5:
With the exception of one proud possessor of an atiquated “tilter” — all the crofters cut their crop with the scythe.Rs. 1951 Scots Mag. (July) 253:
From sickle to scythe, from scythe to horse-drawn “tilter,” from tilter to self-delivery reapers.Sc. 1965 Abd. Press and Jnl. (8 April):
The first type was the common tilter, which needed one man to drive and one man to tilt off a pile of grain at intervals. In 1885 Annandale farmers were still using the old tilter.(2) Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 126:
Een cuttin' wi' a hyeuk, an' anidder wi' a scythe, an' there cud be a tiltin' raeper.
2. With up: to drink to the bottom quickly (Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 183), sc. by tilting the glass.
3. To beat with a hammer (Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 183), vbl.n. tiltin (Id.). Cf. Eng. tilt, to beat or forge metal with a tilt-hammer. Comb. tilt-miln, a forge in which a tilt-hammer is used.Kcb. 1771 Caled. Mercury (28 Sept.):
There are many fine lead-mines in the neighbourhood so that any skilled manufacturers of lead, either into sheets or otherways. . . . There is also in this town [Creetown] one of the best situations for a tilt-miln.
II. n. An exalted, excited or euphoric state, cocksureness in the attainment of good fortune, gen. in phr. to be i(n) or (up)o the tilt (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1972).Sh. 1879 Shetland Times (22 March):
I hoop somethin' 'ill lower his tilt yet.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
Du's i' di tilt nu.
