Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TROOSHLACH, n., adj. Also -lich, -loch, trushlich; trooslach. [′truʃləx]

I. n. Trash, rubbish, trivial or worthless odds and ends (Arg. 1882 Arg. Herald (3 June), Arg. 1958); also contemptuously of persons (Arg. 1926). Also of food.Arg. c.1850 L. McInnes Dial. S. Kintyre (1936) 29:
Thou'rt not a hochlan scleurach, dear, As many trooshlach be.Wgt. 1877 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 185, 265:
It's no fair tae gie the Lord a' the trooshloch. . . . Could ye no hae soopit that trooshloch oot afore this time o' day?Abd. 1922 Swatches o' Hamespun 65:
Curns o' idder orra trooshlich lay reel-rall aboot the fleer-heid.Arg. 1952 N. Mitchison Lobsters on the Agenda xvii.:
A trooslach of young fellows.Ags. 1988 Raymond Vettese The Richt Noise 27:
Aince mair
my thochts'll dwall on the trooshlach o Scotland
and hoo it maun bide sae forfochten an' bare.
I'll cry for smeddum tae snap the tether-band
that hauds us, mane the wyegaun o Scots words. ... Arg. 1993:
Ye're not eatin all that trooshlach. [referring to sweets] Trooshlach, is it? [referring to junk mail]

II. adj. Of a person: dirty, slovenly (ne.Sc. 1935 Sc. N. & Q. (Feb.) 24, trushlich; ‡Bnff., Abd. 1973).