Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1794-1825, 1897-1900
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†DICHEL, Dichal, Dighal, Dicule, Doighle, n. and v.
I. n.
1. “A bad scrape” (Slk. (Ettr. For.) 1825 Jam.2).Per. 1900 E.D.D.:
What ye said before and what ye say now has brocht ye into a dichel.
2. Pl. in phrs.: (1) to get one's dichels, to be severely reproved, to get a drubbing, a beating (Rnf. 1825 Jam.2); (2) to gie (someone) their dichals, to beat, to punish (someone).(1) Sc.(E) 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws ix.:
Any that comes traiking round Redheuch after the maids 'll get their dichals from Margaret Elliot.Dmf. 1825 Jam.2:
Well, my lad, I think ye'll get your dichels.(2) Sc. 1794 J. Grahame Poems 103:
Tell us . . . . . . how the bonny Fernig foichals Gie G . .n thieves and slaves their dichals.
II. v. Found only in vbl.n. dichlin', doighlin, a beating, a thrashing (Rnf. 1825 Jam.2, doighlin).Per. 1900 E.D.D.:
Jock and Pate cuist oot owre the heid o' Jane Cairns, an' Jock gae Pate an awfu' dichlin,.
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"Dichel n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dichel>
