DSL - SND1   HALLION, n. Also hallian, hal(l)yon, ha(a)lyan; hullion (Sh., Gall.), hulyon, hullen; hylan. [hljn, hl-]     1. A person of slovenly dress or appearance, a good-for-nothing idler, a rascal, a clown, a clumsy fellow (Fif., Dmf. 1808 Jam.; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 251; Bnff., Lnk., Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Uls. 1934 Mid- Uls. Mail (1 Dec.); Sh., Ags., Gall., Rxb. 1956). Also used attrib. Found in n.Eng. dial.
    *Ayr. 1787 Burns Address Beelzebub 35-36:
    They lay aside a' tender mercies, An' tirl the hallions to the birses.
    *Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 26:
    But should some rustic hallion see thee there.
    *Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxii.:
    Oigh, what will come o' ye gin the baillies sud come to get witting --- ta filthy, gutty hallions, tat they are?
    *Slk. 1835 Hogg Wars Montrose III. 7:
    Wae be to them for a set o' greedy hallions.
    *Fif. 1873 J. Wood Ceres Races 38:
    Juist like a halyon suppin curds, He taks sic moothfu's o' the words.
    *Bwk. 1876 W. Brockie Leaderside Leg. 5:
    Nae doot they've herriet a' the bykes O' purfeit monkish drones, An' driven the lazy hallions forth.
    *Gall. 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 28:
    A' the drucken hullions in the country-side use't tae swarm about the sales tae get a gude drunk for naething.
    2. An inferior servant employed to do odd jobs (Abd. 1825 Jam.); a gentleman's servant out of livery (Rxb. Ib.; Abd. 1902 E.D.D.).
    3. An overbearing and quarrelsome woman of vulgar manners (Bwk. 1825 Jam.).
    4. ``A mischievous lad'' (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
    [Origin obscure.]

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