Sc. colloq. Also tittie. [perh. infantile pronunciation of sissie, sister; ? associated with TIT sb.3] A sister; a young woman or girl. Cf. KITTY1.
Tittie and billie, sister and brother (cf. BILLY1 3); hence to be tittie-billie, to be closely associated as brother and sister, or as brothers or sisters.
1725. Ramsay, Gentle Sheph., II. ii. That clattern Madge, my titty.
1790. Burns, Tam Glen, i. My heart is a-breaking, dear Tittie! Some counsel unto me come len’.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., v. ‘Has she not a sister?’ ‘In troth has she—puir Jeanie Deans … she was here greeting a wee while syne about her tittie.’
1825. Jamieson, s.v., Tam’s a great thief, but Will’s tittie-billie wi’ him.
1893. Glasgow Herald, 28 Dec., 9/6. Here are some of her proverbs:—… ‘Patience and prudence are tittie-billie.’
1896. J. Lumsden, Poems, 18. A band of billies And frisky titties.
