Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1948
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DRIVEL, DRIVL, Drevl, v., n.
1. v. To dawdle, to go about in a slovenly manner (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), driv(e)l). Hence drivlin, "trailing through mire" (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).Sh. 1948 New Shetlander (Oct.–Nov.) 22:
He comes drevlin in . . . an I says — "Weel, boy, I'm aa ready."
2. n. A lazy, slovenly person (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw., drivel). Fem. form drivla (Jak.). Hence drivelly, clumsy, rough in manner or appearance (Ork. 1930).
[Norw. dial. drivla. to lounge about, to loaf, loiter.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Drivel v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/drivel>
