Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Trittil(l-trattil(l, n. Also: trittyll trattyll, trittl tratil, tritle-trantle. [Reduplicated form of Trattil(l n. Cf. e.m.E. tittle-tattle (1583).] a. As a dismissive interjection: Nonsense! Rubbish! b. An instance of idle talk or gossip. c. A worthless article, a trifle. —a. 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 245.
Now trittyll, trattyll, trolylow, Quod the thrid man 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4366 (Ch.).
Better bring hir to the leitches heir. Trittill trattill, scho may nocht steir a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 1411.
Trittl tratil trow low —b. 1562-3 Winȝet II 82/15.
That thow be nocht temerouslie sclanderit nothir in this porpose nor in wtheris be euery wane manis trittil trattilis —c. a1689 Cleland 88.
These I shall Call acts that's preter Scriptural … For to impose gray gowns, or mantles, Or ony such base tritle-trantles