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 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CLITTER-CLATTER, n., v. Also cletter-clatter.

I. n. A rattling, clattering noise, a continuous sharp crackle. Gen.Sc. Rare and chiefly dial. in Eng. Used excl. in quot.Dmf. 1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun 91:
Tat, tat, a-rat-tat, clitter clatter, Gun after gun play'd blitter blatter.

2. Noisy animated talk, chatter, confused or senseless conversation, meaningless verbiage.Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 148:
Thus, after meikle Clitter-clatter, James fand he cou'dna mend the Matter. Edb. 1773 Fergusson Works (S.T.S.) II. 107:
But we'll hae nae sick clitter-clatter. m.Lth. 1822 R. Wilson Poems 75:
For a' their clitter-clatter, They only women are and men. Rnf. 1862 A. McGilvray Poems 231:
To imagine I could flatter A friend like you, with clitter-clatter. Sc. 1916 T. W. Paterson Wyse-Sayin's xviii. 8:
The clitter-clatters o' a clish maclaiver.

II. v. To clatter, to rattle, esp. of speech to chatter, talk endlessly and garrulously (Ags. 1975).Peb. 1838 W. Welsh Poems 56:
I'm no' gaun to rin up an' doun yonder seekin' him, clitter clatterin' about you an' yer siller. Ags. 1880 A. M. Soutar Hearth Rhymes 42:
Her tongue was langer still It cletter-clatters a' the day.

[Redupl. form of Clatter, n., Clatter, v. O.Sc. clitter clatter, n., 1535.]