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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†HILTER-SKILTER, adv., adj. Also dims. hiltie-skiltie, hilty-skilty, heltie-skeltie, helty-skelty, variants of Eng. helter-skelter.

I. adv. As in Eng., in rapid succession, confusedly, pell-mell (Sc. 1808 Jam.; ‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., hiltie-skiltie; Ork., Bnff., Ags. 1957). †Phr. to drink helter-skelter, to drink heavily of a variety of liquors.Peb. 1715 A. Pennecuik Tweeddale 75:
Whose main Design and chiefest Aim's to felter Thy best Friend's feet, by drinking Helter Skelter.Abd. 1765 J. Robertson Bon-Accord (1839) 93:
He sate close drinking, as is the phrase in that part of the country, helter-skelter, that is copiously and alternately, of different liquors.Ayr. 1789 Burns 2nd Ep. to Davie vi.:
Then, hiltie-skiltie, we gae scrievin, An' fash nae mair.Edb. 1821 W. Liddle Poems 36:
We'd enjoy but short time hilter skilter.Rxb. 1821 A. Scott Poems 40:
Come up, come up now, hiltie, skiltie, If Jannet o' this theft be guilty.Abd. 1872 J. G. Michie Deeside Tales 87:
Now we did not give them time to turn, but down the brae after them hilter skilter.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 41:
Couper Geordie sae hed drunken, Helter-skelter, nicht an' day.Sc. 1935 D. Rorie Lum Hat 28:
To gar my yowes Play helty-skelty.

II. adj. Harum-scarum, heedless.Slk. 1830 Hogg Songs (1874) 428:
Bonnie blinking, Hilty-skilty lassie yet.em.Sc. 1898 H. Rogers Meggotsbrae 213:
That lassie o' McGrouther's is a hilty-skilty jaud.Fif. 1926 I. Farquhar Pickletillie 71:
I'll have nae glaikit, hilty-skilty lassie aboot the plaee.