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.
TWEEDLE, v.2 Sc. form of Eng. twiddle, to twirl the fingers, to turn lightly (Ayr. 1835 Galt in Tait's Mag. (Sept.) 606). Sc. usage: 1. to cheat, deceive (Sc. 1825 Jam., Mry., Abd. 1973).Mry. 1957 Bulletin (23 Nov.):
Never again shall we let ourselves be so tweedled.
2. Fig., of a learner on a bicycle: to swerve to the right and left, to wobble (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.).