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.
YALL, v., n. Also yaal, yaul, yawl, yolle. [jɑ:l]
I. v. tr. and absol. To yell, scream, howl, cry out loudly (Sc. 1808 Jam., yaul; Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Sh., n.Sc. 1974), to clamour. Also in Eng. dial. Vbl.n. yawlin.Abd. 1844 W. Thom Rhymes 71:
Through blifferts o' caul' they yaumer an' yaul.Gsw. 1863 J. Young Ingle Nook 86:
Fruit o' his yardie, an' fruits o' his rod, Sent famine a yaulin' frae Poortith's abode.Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond B. Bowden (1922) 127:
Aye the unearthly yawlin' gaed on.Sh. 1928 Shetland Times (14 July):
Hits naethin fur some o dem ta be yallin fur twa submarines an a cruiser afore brakwist.
II. n. A shout, cry, howl (n.Sc. 1974).Rxb. 1824 Rymour Club Misc. II. 47:
He opened his gob with unyirthly-like yolle.Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 62:
This feenisht up wi' a terrific yawl.Abd. 1943 W. S. Forsyth Guff o' Waur 10:
For dark's the nicht, and auld Tam's yall — Fegs! 'Tis nae mowze to hear.Sh. 1955 New Shetlander No. 41. 8:
No a soond wis heard bit a tirrik's yall.
