Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1886-1949
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VILLYAROO, n. Also villyero; viljarue (Sh. 1888 Edmonston and Saxby Home of a Naturalist 184), vijllaru, villarø (Jak.); vildro(o). [′vɪl(j)əru, -rø; ′vɪldro]
1. Foolish talk, idle silly chatter, nonsense (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1973).Sh. 1886 G. Temple Britta 71:
I mind fine da villyaroo dere wis aboot it at da time.Sh. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. vi. 230:
She would bashfully reply, “had de villyaroo, boy”.
2. Confusion, destruction, smithereens, a lost or scattered state (Ork. 1929 Marw., villyero, vildro, Ork. 1973). Also used adv., in(to) confusion or chaos.Ork. 1912 Old-Lore Misc. V. ii. 67:
Geordie's tings aboot da hoose gaed avildroo [ < i(n) or o(n) vildroo] apae him.Ork. 1932:
Hid's a' geen vildro.Ork. 1949:
All away tae vildroo.
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"Villyaroo n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Jul 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/villyaroo>
