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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

LEFT, adj. Sc. combs.: 1. left-fit, used in derivs. left-fittit, left-fitter, left-footer and in phr. to kick wi the left fit, to indicate derisively one who is a Roman Catholic, prob. from the gen. notion of left as being contrary to the normal, the opposite of what is right or proper, and so sinister or inferior (m.Sc. 1960); 2. left-hand man, one of the two chief supporters of the Cornet or Standard-bearer in various Border Riding Festivities (Dmf. 1912 J. & R. Hyslop Langholm 547); 3. left-loof, left-handed; hence fig. sly, underhand.1. wm.Sc. 1950 M. Hamilton Bull's Penny xviii.:
Speak up, man, do you kick wi' the left fit — are ye a Catholic?Dundee 1959 Iona and Peter Opie The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren 344:
In Lancashire Roman Catholics are known as 'Micks', and in Dundee as 'Left-footers'. Uls. 1981 Sam McAughtry Belfast Stories Vol. II 116:
Over at the corner of the New Lodge Road a group of left-footers of my own age were busting themselves laughing. Sc. 1990 Times 24 May :
Four ten-year-olds are having their first flute lesson, in a run-down Catholic primary school. Which is odd, since they are good Proddie boys, already imagining themselves tooting contempt at the Left-fitters, in the parade band. em.Sc. 1992 Ian Rankin A Good Hanging 88:
The Protestant community might call them 'left-footers', but Rebus himself kicked a ball with his left foot. Uls. 1993 Sam McAughtry Touch and Go 230:
Don't you agree that things have turned out right, with that left-footer only getting the jail for the same thing? Sc. 1994 Daily Record 17 Jan 12:
Will the bone-headed bigots never learn? The fact that her man is England's Grand Master Mason was good for a snigger, too.
Instead of approval that at least one family can bridge the gulf between the apron-wearing fraternity and the left-fitters.2. Rxb. 1937 W. S. Robson Hawick 53:
The Cornet with his right and left hand men (the Cornets of the two preceding years).Bwk. 1960 Kelso Chronicle (22 Sept.):
The “Coldstreamer” partnered by his sister, and the Right Hand and Left Hand Men with their partners.3. Knr. 1925 H. Haliburton Horace 87:
For a' your deep-laid calculations, Your cairds an' left-loof consultations.