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: 1760
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¶WHITTY WHAW, n. A fussy trifle, a quibble, a trivial or faddy criticism. For ne.Sc. form see Fittiefie.Abd. c.1760 J. Skinner Amusements (1809) 99:
It's them that fleys me wi' their taws, Their cankart cuffs, and whitty whaws.