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: 1897-1949
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DIRL, v.2, n.2 Also dirrel.
1. v. To dangle, hang loosely (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); 1914 Angus Gl.). Fig.: to lag, to be at the tail-end.Sh.10 1949:
She sat on the table dirlin her leegs. Da Home Guard cam doon da rod wi ee puir fellow dirlin ahint da rest.
2. n. (1) A dangling object; (2) a swaying motion; hence phr.: wi' a dirl (upon one), with a flouncing motion (to denote offence taken).(1) Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Kwatna dirl is yon at du has behint dee?(2) Sh. 1897 J. Jakobsen Dialect Sh. 17:
When a person is in a hurry, or walks off showing by the motion of his body that he is offended, it is sometimes said, "Dere's a dirrel upon him."Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 44:
"Hit dy lumps whaur dy love lies," Betty said, as shü turned her wi' a dirl." . . . "Lass, be no in sic a huff."Sh. 1938 M. Powell 200,000 Feet on Foula 240:
He [the dog] would give us a dirty look, bounce up and down on stiff legs . . . then turn and make off "with a dirrel upon him."
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"Dirl v.2, n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dirl_v2_n2>
