Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1827
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MALLIFUFF, adj., n. Also maulifuff.
I. adj. Silly, paltry, incapable of energetic action, feckless.Sc. 1827 C. I. Johnstone Eliz. de Bruce II. xiii.:
Am I like one of your windlestrae mallifuff madams that cannot stir from their armchair till they are drammed up with their green-tea?
II. n. An ineffectual fussy woman, who lacks energy to get things done (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.). Also in reduced form mally (Abd. 1825 Jam.).
[Mallie (= Eng. Molly) + Fuff, n., something easily blown about, a puff.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Mallifuff adj., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/mallifuff>
