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.
¶TOTTLIN PIN, n.comb. A jocular expression used when a workman finds fault with his tools, to indicate that it is not the tool or implement but the operative that is inept.Rxb. 1951:
“I dout it's the tottlin pin that's no richt,” i.e. the workman.
