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: 1882
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‡TAISTREL, n. Also -rell, -rill; ‡teistrell, ‡tystrell, -rill. [′testrəl]
1. A gawky, slovenly or unmethodical person, “often applied to a girl who tears her clothes from carelessness” (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1967).Gall. 1882 J. Douglas Bk. Gall. 70:
Gillies, halfins, taistrills, taupies.
2. A mischievous boy, a rascal, scoundrel (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1972). Also in n.Eng. dial.
[Orig. obscure. Cf. hastrel s.v. Haister, n.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Taistrel n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 May 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/taistrel>
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