Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1855-1898
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ILL-SPEAK, v. To slander; gen. found in ppl.adjs. or vbl.n. as ill-speakin(g), given to repeating slander, slanderous talk (Rnf. 1861 J. Barr Poems 112; Sh., m.Lth. 1958); illspoken o', slandered (Sh., Ags. 1958); and deriv. ill-spaeker, slanderer (Sh. 1958).Abd. 1855 Banffshire Jnl. (28 Aug.) 3:
Our fairies, as far as I can learn, are a harmless class of beings unless "illspoken o'".Rnf. 1870 J. Nicholson Idylls 65:
Their leein', ill-speakin' and clashes Are ill to put up wi' nae doot.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr. Duguid 116:
He was aye a clattie taid of an ill-speaking body.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (28 May):
Ill-speakers, leers, an' clashers ir kebbie at ony time for suntin' ta spaek aboot.
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"Ill-speak v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 20 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/illspeak>
