Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1880-1929
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MATLO, n. Also matilot (Ork. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 XV. 143 Gl.). The common house fly, Musca domestica (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Ork. 1929 Marw.). Also, less frequently, the bluebottle, Calliphora erythrocephala (Ib.). [′mɑtlo]Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 28:
Paety wad hae been nae mair i' his hands or a matlo atween me t'oom' an' finger.Ork. 1929 Old-Lore Misc. IX. ii. 78:
A matlo wad narlins dung 'im ower is he waas piverin' a' ower, 'is teeth waar titteran, an' da cald creeps waar rinnin doon.
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"Matlo n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/matlo>
