Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1812-1871, 1925
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WHEEFLE, v., n. Also wheeffle. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. whiffle, obsol. or dial. [ʍifl]
I. v. 1. tr. and intr. To puff, to blow, to drive with a puff (Lnk., Ayr. 1974). Ppl.adjs. wheeflin, of a wind: blowing in slight puffs, light (Ayr. 1948), whiffled, lightly-sounded, of a musical note.Fif. 1812 W. Tennant Anster Fair 145:
'Twas sweeter than the chiming winds that blow Upon th' Eolian park a whiffled note.Sc. 1871 P. H. Waddell Psalms x. 5:
Wha fash wi' him, he wheefles them by.
2. To vacillate, dither about (Sh. 1974). Dial. in Eng.Ayr. 1833 J. Kennedy G. Chalmers 195:
I juist gied her aucht days to think on't — rowth o' time in a' conscience, Mr. Meek, to wheeffle.
II. n. 1. A puff, spurt, jet (of water) (Sh. 1974).Lth. 1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 203:
A fountain that lets out a whiffle of water nows and thens.
2. A slight insignificant thing, a trifle. Obs. in Eng. in 17th c.Cai. 1829 J. Hay Poems 155:
Not to spend thy youth in triffles, In flinting show and empty whiffles.
