Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ELT, v., n. Also freq. form elter (Cai.⁹ 1950).

I. v.

1. To knead dough, butter, etc. (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.; ‡Sh.¹⁰, Sh.¹¹ 1950); to mix so as to form a dough (Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 71; Cai.¹ 1928; Cai.³ 1949).Sh. 1931 in Shet. Times (21 March) 7/5:
I saw a she'ld wi buggy breeks, Lyin' underneath a car; His face wis sparkid black wi grease, His claes lik eltid tar.

2. To handle roughly, to injure anything, such as an animal, the nap of cloth, etc., by too much rough handling; to pull about, to chivy (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh.¹⁰, Ork.⁵ 1950).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Du's eltin dat creature to death, boy!

3. To begrime, soil with mud, etc. (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Sh.¹⁰ 1950); to daub, to smear (Cai.⁴ c.1920; Cai.⁷ 1943).Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 22:
Whin shü cam oot an fann me dere Wi peenie fairlins eltit.Sh.¹¹ 1950:
Mi böts ir a' eltit wi' glaar.Cai.³ 1950:
He was elt(er)ed wi' gutters fae head to foot.

4. To work persistently or laboriously; to be occupied in working in the earth, to rake among dirt (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Sh.¹⁰, Ork.¹ 1950).Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 17:
Bit it'll no dü for wis dat has ta fecht i' da face o' da sea, an' elt i' da dirt o' da eart for a meal bannock or a tatie skin.Sh. 1924 T. Manson Humours Peat Comm. III. 78:
Du's gaen ta staand here an elt an vaarg amung aa dis cooking till supper time!Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Keep thoo on eltan at it.Sh. 1950 New Shetlander No. 20. 43:
Nae mair wid dis at lay ida bed hae her tae elt an slave for him day oot day in.

Phr.: to elt on a ting, to be long about doing something (Jak.).

5. Fig. To meddle, interfere (Sh.¹⁰ 1950).Sh. 1897 Shet. News (16 Oct.):
Sae boy, I hena time ta fash, Besides, I dunna elt in clash.

II. n.

1. Dough, a kneaded mass (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Cai.³ 1948). Hence, by transference, mud, mire (Jak.).

Phr. and Comb.: (1) carrie-elt, “a thick ill-baked oatcake” (Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 71); see also Carrie; (2) to mak an elt o' onything, fig., to bungle (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); to make a mess of (Sh.¹¹ 1950).

2. Fig. (1) A heavy, laborious job; (2) a stout, awkwardly-built woman (Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 71; Cai.⁴ c.1920; Cai.⁷ 1943); a slovenly female (Cai.³ 1942).(1) Sh.⁹ 1947:
Hit's juist a shug an a dad an a elt!