Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1737, 1879-1919
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COOL, COUL, Kool, Kul(l), n. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. cowl, a monk's hood. [kul]
1. A woollen cap, "a baby's woollen cap" (Fif.10 1937); "a close cap worn within doors" (Sc. 1911 S.D.D., cool); "a sailor's 'sou'-wester'" (Ib., kool); a night-cap (Sc. 1825 Jam.2, coul); a smoking cap. Also dims. coolie, kul(l)i, "a snug-fitting cap without a brim" (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., kulli); "skull-cap" (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), kuli). Known to Abd.22, Ags.1, Slg.3, Lnl.1, Lnk.3, Kcb.1 1937.Sc. 1737 Ramsay Sc. Proverbs 31:
He wears twa Faces beneath ae Coul.Sh.(D) 1919 T. Manson Humours Peat Comm. II. 2:
Wan time dey [women] hae a thing . . . laek a mutch; neist its laek a aald man's coolie.Ags. 1879 J. Y. Geddes New Jerusalem 119:
An' Jean has sent a smoking cool . . . Sae we bude send a broidered stool.
In phr. to pu' on the cool an' the mutch, "part of the obs. practices of the 'bedding' at a wedding" (Gall. 1898 E.D.D.).Lnk. 1881 A. Wardrop J. Mathison's Courtship, etc. 33:
You've dune me oot o' the pleasure o' pu'in the cool an' the mutch on this mornin'.
2. Fig.: "a raised peak in the centre of the foam on home-brewed ale" (Sc. 1901 Scotsman (20 Aug.)).
3. A dunce's cap in school. Peb. 1899 J. Grossart Chronicles 83:
When any of her pupils did wrong they were compelled to stand in a corner wearing the "dolt's coul." Looking back it was very amusing to see two or so "dolts" wearing the coul - a long paper hat.
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"Cool n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/cool>
