Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1782, 1881-1933
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BALL, n.1 and v.1
1. n.
(1) "A gathering for a dance, card-playing, etc." (Sh.4 1933).Abd. c.1782 in Ellis E.E.P. (1869–1889) V. 775:
Shanks hed tane Betty Gray to the Halloweven ball.Abd. 1881 W. Paul Past and Pres. of Aberdeenshire 50–51:
The country people used to call any kind of social gathering a "ball." They spoke of "balls o' dancin'," "balls o' caertin" (card playing), "balls o' drinkin'," and "balls o' tea."
(2) Hence "bustle, disturbance" (Sh.4 1933, Abd. 1825 Jam.2), and "a spree" (Bnff.4 1932; Fif. a.1838 Jam. MSS. X. 63).
Phrase: on the ball. (See first quot.)Sc. 1899 Glasgow Herald (23 Dec.) (E.D.D. Suppl.):
On the ball, constantly drinking or boozing.Ags.1 1933:
On the ball, in a drinking fit.Fif. 1898 "S. Tytler" Mrs Carmichael's Goddesses (1899) xii. 142:
The sweetie-merchant and Lameter Bell, when she was not "on the ball," went also.
2. v. "To behave in a disorderly manner" (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D.Bnff. 216). vbl.n. balling, "frequenting balls" (Bnff.4 1932).
[From ball, a dancing assembly. O.Sc. has balling, holding or frequenting of balls, 16th cent.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Ball n.1, v.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/ball_n1_v1>
