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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TAISLE, v., n. Also taizle; teazle (Sc. 1808 Jam.); taissle, tas(s)le, tassel; tizzle. [tezl, †tesl]

I. v. 1. tr. and intr. To entangle, to twist inextricably, to mix up, to put or get into disorder (Uls. 1953 Traynor; Lth., Bwk., Ayr., sm.Sc. 1972); to stir about or work (some pliable material) with the hands, to handle overmuch (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 190, gen. with amon', in, thegither, throughither).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 190:
She teaslet the twa kynes o' 'oo through ither.

2. To toss, throw or buffet about; to stir up, turn over (hay) (Fif. 1825 Jam., Knr. 1958, tizzle; Ags., Kcb. 1972).Sc. 1825 Jam.:
Applied to the action of the wind when boisterous; as, “I was sair taisslit wi' the wind.”

3. To tease, irritate, vex (Lth. 1825 Jam.; Kcb. 1972), freq. by close and repeated questioning. Vbl.n. taislin.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
He taisslit me sae wi' his questions, that I didna ken what to say.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 190:
Dinna taisle the bairn that wye.s.Sc. 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws iii.:
[He] doesna care to be taisled by a whale hantle o' fulish questions.

4. As a variant of Eng. teasel: to raise the nap on cloth with teasels.Sc. 1733 P. Lindsay Interest Scot. 109:
We understand the picking of Cloth, and the thickning of it at the Mill, pretty well; but we are not so adroit at the tasselling it on the dubbing Boards.

II. n. 1. A state of disorder or the causing of disorder, confusion, muddling up (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 189).

2. A buffeting or knocking about, rough handling, a severe brush or tussle (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Kcb. 1972), as with a strong headwind (Ib.).Sc. a.1730 A. Pennecuik Coll. Sc. Poems (1787) 10:
That day when Meg sair tasle got, Wi' Hangie's beeds about her throat.Abd. 1786 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 39:
Gin this be courting, well I wat 'tis dear; I got na sik a teazle this seven year.Rnf. 1790 A. Wilson Poems 88:
Though Conscience' gab we try to steek, It gi'es ane whiles a tassle.Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian li.:
It's some comfort, when one has had a sair tassell.Sc. 1824 Scots Mag. (May) 541:
As the auld wife said when she was whipped through the town o' Drumdrouth, ‘My certy, this is a bonnie taisle!'

3. A vexing or teasing (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 189); a puzzling or bamboozling with persistent questions (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Kcb. 1972).