hirdy-girdy, n. and adv. Sc. and north. dial.
[Cf. prec., and hiddy-giddy.]
† A. n. Uproar, confusion, disorder. Obs.
| a 1500 Colkelbie Sow i. 184 (Jam.) Wi sic a din and a dirdy, A garray and hirdy-girdy, The fulis all afferd wer. 1686 G. Stuart Joco-ser. Disc. 44 What Hirdy-girdy this ye keep I canna get a wink of sleep. 1893 Northumbld. Gloss., Hirdy-girdy, a disorderly noise, a disturbance. (Obs.) |
B. adv. In or into disorder, in confusion.
| 16.. in Glanvill Sadducismus (1726) 399 They all ran hirdie-girdie. 1819 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd (1827) 50 Sae to the cross o' Anster ran Hirdie-girdie, woman and man. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet Let. xi, He ventured back into the parlour, where a' was gaun hirdie-girdie. |