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.
TRUSS, n., v. Also trus, tross (Jak.); troos- (Ork.); occas. tuss (Sh.). [trʌs]
I. n. Trash, rubbish in gen., useless odds and ends (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.); specif. the scraps or refuse of cooked food given to animals (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 203, 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1973). Adj. trussy, untidy, cluttered (Sh. 1973). Comb. trussi(e)vagl, an untidy, slovenly dressed person (Sh. 1905 E.D.D.).Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 230:
Tuss and tuk are old Shetland expressions used to denote broken parts or refuse of hay, straw, etc.Sh. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. vii, 272:
Dunna let da fools truck troo da grice's truss.Sh. 1927 Shetland Times (23 April):
Shocklats an' truss laek dat.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 23:
Da trus it dey tak wi' dem is oontould.Sh. 1956 New Shetlander No. 43. 23:
Some egg-skurms are lying among taylaevs, ess, and truss in an old wooden daffick.Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 47. 17:
Da hoose a peerie bit trussy, but clean and warm and welcoming.
II. v. With in, t(h)rough: to do something in a careless perfunctory manner, to work or rake about untidily or in a slap-dash way (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.), specif. of eating: to slop one's food about, to break it up in a careless confused mess (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928)). Ppl.adj. trusset, unkempt, untidy, slovenly (Jak.; Sh. 1973), dirty, bespattered (Ork. 1929 Marw., troosed wi' dirt).Sh. 1897 Shetland News (18 Dec.):
Why, ill helt — dües doo no tuss trow yon winderfil dickshinar o' dine?Sh. 1964 New Shetlander No. 71. 33:
Crofts and cottages tidy or trussit.Sh. 1966 New Shetlander No. 76. 19:
Gey trussit is da kell.
