Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1824-1901, 1963
[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0]
TOUTHER, v., n. Also toother, tooder, tuder (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); towther, towder; tothir, tauther (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 195), tawther-, tudder (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.). [′tuðər, ′tudər; ′tʌuðər, ′tʌudər]
I. v. To handle roughly, dishevel, drag about, throw into disorder (Peb., Slk. 1825 Jam.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 195, tothir, tauther, and in deriv. tauthereeze; Sh., Fif. 1972), also with up (Fif. 1960); to drub, castigate. Ppl.adjs. toodered, dishevelled, unkempt, disordered, confused (Sc. 1873 D. M. Ogilvy Willie Wabster 16), tudderin, muddling, pottering in a fussy, untidy way (Abd. 1932).Lnk. 1893 J. Crawford Verses 69:
The skule loons Are swarmin' roon to hae some sport, Though they be tichtly touther't for't.Sh. 1901 Shetland News (1 June):
Da lang white tooder'd hair.Sh. 1963 New Shetlander No. 67. 15:
Der draigled claes, an toodered hair.
II. n. 1. A rough handling, a pulling about, a throwing into confusion (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 195, tothir, tauther; Sh. 1972); a state of disorder or dishevelment, a mess (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.; Fif., Lth. 1972).Per. a.1825 Donald and Flora 49:
Whether you want a towther, or a kiss.Uls. 1879 “Robin” Hum. Readings 16:
A lump o' a barefitted lass wae her heid a' in a toother.Gall. 1881 J. K. Scott Gall. Gleanings 65:
Her gray hairs in towders hung doon.Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 98:
I haes da frock doon frae da nail, An aa itill a tooder.
Hence towtherie, towthrie, tudderery, tuderi, adj., dishevelled, untidy, slovenly (Sc. 1825 Jam., 1911 S.D.D.; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh., Slg., Fif. (towtherie), Ayr., Kcb., Dmf. (tuddery) 1972); towdersome, of wind: rough, blustery, boisterous (Mry., Abd. 1960).
2. An untidy dishevelled person.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xi.:
She's but a glaikit, weirdless towther.
