Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TRIM, v., n.1 Also trum (Arg. 1920 H. Foulis Vital Spark 5, Arg. 1940). Sc. form and usages:
I. v. 1. As in Eng., to trounce, scold, berate. Hence (1) trimmer, a scolding woman, a virago, vixen (Cai. 1905 E.D.D.); (2) trimmie, (i) id., a pert impudent girl, a hussy (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.); (ii) a name for the Devil (Ags. 1825 Jam.).(1) Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxix.:
She was a trimmer — it wad hae taen a skeely man to hae squared wi' her!(2) (i) Per. 1896 I. Maclaren Kate Carnegie 68:
You were a “trimmie” at twelve, and you are qualifying for the highest rank in your class. . . . The next trimmie that ye want tae set up in her hoose.Kcb. 1904 Crockett Strong Mac xxxix.:
I wadna hae thocht she had it in her, the cunning wee trimmie!
2. In phr. to trim the pack, to be a pedlar. See Pack, n.1
II. n. Haste, speed. Nonce.Edb. 1796 Twa Cuckolds 10:
It was managed wi' sic trim, That a' was o'er or Bell cam' in.
