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.
TUIRD, n. Also taird, terd (w.Lth., Lnk. 1825 Jam.; m.Sc. 1973); teerd (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.), tyoord (Abd. 1937 Abd. Press & Jnl. (27 Aug.)). Sc. forms of Eng. turd, a lump of excrement, fig. a nasty, objectionable, dirty person (w.Lth., Lnk. 1825 Jam.). Dim. tirdie, as a term of abuse for an offensive young fellow (Abd. 1930). For the forms cf. P.L.D. §§ 35.4, 121, 128, and Buird, n.1, Fuird, Feerd. [I., m.Sc. tørd, terd; ne.Sc. tird, tjurd]
Sc. usages in phrs. and combs.: (1) to cast a taird in one's teeth, to upbraid, gibe at, taunt (Lth. 1825 Jam.); (2) tuird flee, a dung-fly (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Ork. 1973); ‡(3) turdiel, -deevil, the dung beetle, Scarabeus stercorarius (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.).(3) Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 20:
The witchie-clock and the tur-diel, two kinds of beetles.
