Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DIDDLE, v.3, n.3
1. v. “To busy one's self in a trifling manner” (Sh.10 1949; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 38); to waste time; to potter, to dawdle (Bnff.2, Abd.9, Fif.10, Rxb.5, Slk. (per Abd.27) 1940; Gall. 1900 E.D.D.). Ppl.adj. diddling. Also used tr. with away = to fritter away (time). Also in Eng. dial.Sc. 1826 Scott Journal (1890) I. 250:
6 Sept.: Here is a fine spate of work — a day diddled away, and nothing to show for it.Abd. 1839 Abd. New Shaver (May) 86:
Little diddling David Robertson.Edb. 1915 T. W. Paterson Auld Saws 85:
But aye they diddle roun' aboot. An' aye it lures them in.
2. n.
(1) “Slow and trifling working (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 38).
(2) “One who is slow and trifling at work” (Ib.; Abd.9 1940).Ib.:
He's a machtless diddle o' a bodie at a'thing he pits his han' till.
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"Diddle v.3, n.3". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/diddle_v3_n3>
