Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1929-1952
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DILDER, v. and n. Also deulder. Cf. Didder. Dolder, v. and n.2 [′dɪldər]
1. v.
(1) To shake, jerk (Ork. 1887 Jam.6; Ork. 2000s); “to move in a noisy, jolting fashion, make a rattling sound as of a cart over stones” (Ork. 1929 Marw.; also 1889 E.E.P. V. 809, 811); used of limbs trembling with age or palsy or with fear (Ork. 1900 E.D.D.).
(2) To dangle behind.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
The dog ran off in terror wi' a pail dilderan at his tail.
(3) fig.: to dawdle, loiter (Ork. 1887 Jam.6).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
I geed home and he cam' dilderan ahint.
2. n. “A smart jerk, shake, jolt” (Ork. 1887 Jam.6); a trembling, frightened state.Ork. 1952 R. T. Johnston Stenwick Days (1984) 136:
A short silence followed this announcement. It was broken by Eustace Rosie, who inquired in a puzzled tone, "Weel, whit's funny aboot that? Thir's noathing aboot that tae mak' thee come in all o' a deulder." ... "Thoo wid be in a bonny deulder theesel, Eustace Rosie, if thoo hid seen a ghost."
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"Dilder v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dilder>
