Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

EETLE, n. Word used in counting-out rhymes (Sh., Ork., Cai., Bnff., Ags., m.Lth., Bwk., Ayr. 1945). For other examples of variant forms of this rhyme, see Gregor Counting Out Rhymes in Trans. Bch. Field Club (1889) I. 195.Ib.:
Eetle, otle, Black Bottle, My dog's dead.Edb. 1906–11 Rymour Club Misc. I. 103:
Eetle, ottle, black bottle Eetle, ottle, out.

Hence eetle-ottle, v., to choose by counting out as above.Dmb. 1947:
A child during an intelligence test differentiated correctly between “oscillation” and “osculation”. On being asked by the psychologist to explain her process of reasoning she said, “I just eetle-ottled it”.wm.Sc.¹ 1949:
I have heard among grown-ups, “You'll have to eetle-ottle it”, meaning you will have to cast lots for a division.