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: 1948
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DRIVEL, DRIVL, Drevl, v., n.
1. v. To dawdle, to go about in a slovenly manner (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), driv(e)l). Hence drivlin, "trailing through mire" (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).Sh. 1948 New Shetlander (Oct.–Nov.) 22:
He comes drevlin in . . . an I says — "Weel, boy, I'm aa ready."
2. n. A lazy, slovenly person (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw., drivel). Fem. form drivla (Jak.). Hence drivelly, clumsy, rough in manner or appearance (Ork. 1930).
[Norw. dial. drivla. to lounge about, to loaf, loiter.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Drivel v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/drivel>
