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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WHITTER, n.², v.² Also whutter, wheeter.

I. n. A drink of liquor, a dram (Rnf. c.1850 Crawfurd MSS. III. 18: Ayr. 1928; Slg. 1974); drink, liquor.Ayr. 1785 Burns 1st Ep. J. Lapraik xix.:
We'll sit down an' tak our whitter, To cheer our heart.Bnff. a.1829 J. Sellar Poems (1844) 12:
An' syne a plate o' yellow butter — A glassie an' a pig o' whitter.Gsw. 1863 J. Young Ingle Nook 96:
What is to hin'er Ilk body, saunt as weel as sinner, Frae takin' whutters o' guid whisky.Clc. 1882 J. Walker Poems 87:
Rousin' brandy-whitters O' punch that day.Edb. 1905 J. Lumsden Croonings 208:
I was barglin ower a whitter.Arg. 1936 L. McInnes S. Kintyre 16:
He had a good whitter on him gaun hame frae the fair.

II. v. To tipple, to drink drams.Lnk. 1877 W. McHutchison Poems 217:
Wee wheetrin', daidlin', drunken Tam Noo cocks his nose, tae, at a dram.