Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1752, 1844, 1901-1920
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NIFFLER, n. Also neffler. In Weaving: an appliance consisting of an upper and lower slat of wood with pins set in at short intervals, comb-fashion, between which the web is spread evenly on the beam of the loom before weaving commences, an Evener, a Ravel n.1 (Fif. 1919 T.S.D.C., Fif. 1950).Edb. 1752 Caled. Mercury (25 Feb.):
He makes all Sorts of Natches for Taylors . . . likewise Temples and Nifflers [for weavers].Sc. 1844 P. Chalmers Dunfermline 369:
In the case of a web of three chains there were three men, one holding each chain, two holding the niffler or evener, and at least six driving the beam.Fif. 1901 Sc. Antiquary XVI. 97–8:
Five or six hand-looms of more or less ancient construction are already at work, and the talk over them is of . . . spindles and heddles, of winks, and nefflers, picker-sticks and contra-merches.Ags. 1920 D. H. Edwards Men & Manners 21:
The chain of yarn was laid on a clean cloth on the floor. The end of it was then thrown over a pole above the loom, and brought back over what was called a “niffler”, which was held by two persons to spread the yarn over the beam.
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"Niffler n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/niffler>
