Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡TOOT-MOOT, n., adv., v. Also tout-mout, tut mut(e), teut-meut, toot-mootre; teet-meet (Abd. 1929; Kcd. 1972), ¶teich-meich (Abd. 1924 Scots Mag. (Sept.) 443). [′tut′mut; ne.Sc. ‡′tit-′mit]
I. n. 1. A low muttered conversation, a whispering together (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 192); the subdued mutterings or growls which frequently precede a violent quarrel or brawl. The phr. in the story told by Jam. below is freq. repeated in various corrupt forms.Kcd. 1825 Jam.:
Being interrogated by her landlord, who was ex officio a judge, as to the origin of the fray, she replied; “It began, my lord, wi' a laigh tut-mute, and it raise to a heich tuilyie mulie; and or ever your lordship wad hae kissed your ain a — e, they were a' i' the mussel-midden abone ither.”Abd. 1875 G. MacDonald Malcolm II. iii.:
Says she, makin' a laich toot-moot o' 't, — ‘He's Lord Lossie's? 'Ork. 1894 W. R. Mackintosh Peat-fires 252:
Thei set tew at a low tut-mut, efteran thei gaed tae a heich cullya shearg, at a hun's bark thei ware at a heich cullya whumlie.Per. 1896 I. Maclaren Kate Carnegie 229:
Hillock's ‘tout-mout' with Gormack over a purchase at a roup.
2. A whisper, a quiet hint, an insinuated rumour (Sc. 1911 S.D.D., toot mootre).Abd. 1862 G. MacDonald D. Elginbrod xi.:
I thocht I heard a toot-moot o' that kin'.
†II. adv. In a quiet whisper, in a hushed manner.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 192:
It's gain teut-meut amo' them it the maister's taen t' the drink.
III. v. To converse in a low muttering tone, to whisper or speak in a suppressed manner (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 142). Vbl.n. teut-meutan (Id.), toot-mootlin.Abd. 1875 G. MacDonald Malcolm II. xix.:
The prence drew him doon, an' toot-mootit in's lug.Ags. 1896 Arbroath Guide (28 Nov.) 3:
After a considerable amount o' toot-mootlin' as laich as could be.
