Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FITTOCK, n. Also fettock; fitag (Cai.), feetock (Ork.).
1. The foot of an old stocking cut off and worn as a shoe or as an extra sock or drawn over boots (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 47; Abd.13 1910; Ork., Cai., ne.Sc. 1951). Cf. Fittie, n., 4. Used erroneously to mean the slipper in the story of Cinderella (Sc. 1934 L. Spence in Gallov. Annual 12).
2. A peat cut by the foot with an ordinary spade from the foot of a peat bank after the upper layers have been removed with the flauchter- or breast-spade (Abd.13 1910; ne.Sc. 1951). Cf. fit-peat, s.v. Fit, n.1, v.1, II. 28.Abd. 1951 Buchan Observer (3 July):
Few farms and crofts in Buchan used other than peats, divots or fettocks to keep the lum reekin'.