Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DULBERT, Dulbart, n. Also †dullbert, †dolbert. A blockhead, a stupid person (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 187, dullbert; Kcb.¹ 1940; ‡Dmf. 1950 (per Fif.¹⁷); s.Sc. 1825 Jam.², dolbert, Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Slk. 1825 Jam.², dulbert, -art). Also in n.Eng. dial. Also dulbert-heid, id. (Watson).Gall. 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 293:
They never miss't the chance o' throwin a jibe at him, or makin him oot tae be a dulbert, yt wus naebuddy, an kent naething.Kcb. 1895 S. R. Crockett Bog-Myrtle ii. vi.:
As great a dulbert as there is between Saterness and the Corse o' Slakes.Dmf. 1836 A. Cunningham Lord Roldan II. vii.:
Here am I that was aye called a gowk, and a dunce, and a dulbert.