Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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LEFT, adj. Sc. combs.: 1. left-fit, used in derivs. left-fittit, left-fitter, left-footer and in phr. to kick wi the left fit, to indicate derisively one who is a Roman Catholic, prob. from the gen. notion of left as being contrary to the normal, the opposite of what is right or proper, and so sinister or inferior (m.Sc. 1960); 2. left-hand man, one of the two chief supporters of the Cornet or Standard-bearer in various Border Riding Festivities (Dmf. 1912 J. & R. Hyslop Langholm 547); 3. left-loof, left-handed; hence fig. sly, underhand.1. wm.Sc. 1950 M. Hamilton Bull's Penny xviii.:
Speak up, man, do you kick wi' the left fit — are ye a Catholic?Dundee 1959 Iona and Peter Opie The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren 344:
In Lancashire Roman Catholics are known as 'Micks', and in Dundee as 'Left-footers'. Uls. 1981 Sam McAughtry Belfast Stories Vol. II 116:
Over at the corner of the New Lodge Road a group of left-footers of my own age were busting themselves laughing. Sc. 1990 Times 24 May :
Four ten-year-olds are having their first flute lesson, in a run-down Catholic primary school. Which is odd, since they are good Proddie boys, already imagining themselves tooting contempt at the Left-fitters, in the parade band. em.Sc. 1992 Ian Rankin A Good Hanging 88:
The Protestant community might call them 'left-footers', but Rebus himself kicked a ball with his left foot. Uls. 1993 Sam McAughtry Touch and Go 230:
Don't you agree that things have turned out right, with that left-footer only getting the jail for the same thing? Sc. 1994 Daily Record 17 Jan 12:
Will the bone-headed bigots never learn? The fact that her man is England's Grand Master Mason was good for a snigger, too.
Instead of approval that at least one family can bridge the gulf between the apron-wearing fraternity and the left-fitters.2. Rxb. 1937 W. S. Robson Hawick 53:
The Cornet with his right and left hand men (the Cornets of the two preceding years).Bwk. 1960 Kelso Chronicle (22 Sept.):
The “Coldstreamer” partnered by his sister, and the Right Hand and Left Hand Men with their partners.3. Knr. 1925 H. Haliburton Horace 87:
For a' your deep-laid calculations, Your cairds an' left-loof consultations.