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.
Quotation dates: 1796-1816, 1896-1904
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TRIM, v., n.1 Also trum (Arg. 1920 H. Foulis Vital Spark 5, Arg. 1940). Sc. form and usages:
I. v. 1. As in Eng., to trounce, scold, berate. Hence (1) trimmer, a scolding woman, a virago, vixen (Cai. 1905 E.D.D.); (2) trimmie, (i) id., a pert impudent girl, a hussy (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.); (ii) a name for the Devil (Ags. 1825 Jam.).(1) Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxix.:
She was a trimmer — it wad hae taen a skeely man to hae squared wi' her!(2) (i) Per. 1896 I. Maclaren Kate Carnegie 68:
You were a “trimmie” at twelve, and you are qualifying for the highest rank in your class. . . . The next trimmie that ye want tae set up in her hoose.Kcb. 1904 Crockett Strong Mac xxxix.:
I wadna hae thocht she had it in her, the cunning wee trimmie!
2. In phr. to trim the pack, to be a pedlar. See Pack, n.1
II. n. Haste, speed. Nonce.Edb. 1796 Twa Cuckolds 10:
It was managed wi' sic trim, That a' was o'er or Bell cam' in.
