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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SPLITTER, n., v. Also spluit(t)er. [′splɪtər]

I. n. 1. A splashing, splattering of liquid, the noise made by this (Gall. c.1929, spluiter; Ork., m.Sc. 1971). Also fig. a fuss, hubbub (Ayr. 1971). Comb. splitter-splatter, weak, watery drink. Adj. splitterie, slovenly, messy.Lnk. 1895 W. Stewart Lilts 95:
‘Mang a' the usual thrang an' splitter O' weighin' treckle, cheese an' butter.Sc. 1929 F. M. McNeill Sc. Kitchen 231:
Twenty pints o' hinky-pinky, Twenty pints o' plooman's drinkie, Twenty pints o' splitter-splatter, An' twenty pints was waur nor water.

2. A messy eater (Ayr. 1971).

II. v. To splutter, make a spluttering noise; to make a mess by splashing liquid about (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein, spluitter; Ork., m.Sc. 1971); to eat or drink in a slovenly way (Ayr. 1971).Slg. 1877 J. Neilson Poems 69:
A puddock splitter't in the pat; She'd wi' the water caught it.