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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

LETTO, n., int. Also let(e) (Jak.). [′læt(o)]

I. n. A trifle. something insignificant or of little worth. Used attrib.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
A letto ting o' a calf.

II. int. As an exclam. of commiseration or disparagement: dear, dear! (Ork. 1960). Also written, by wrong division, o lit! o lit! (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.), lit-a-lit. Used to a small child or animal (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Oh letto! what a ting! A letto, a letto!
Ork. 1931 J. Leask Peculiar People 137:
Lit-a-lit, alt'o da wather waasna rouch sheu camna back.

[Norw. dial. læta, a trifle, an insignificant specimen, lit. a sound.]

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"Letto n., interj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 26 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/letto>

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