Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HICKETY BICKETY, n. A boys' game. See quot. Cf. Heckery-Peckery.Sc. 1847 R. Chambers Pop. Rhymes 260:
One of the simplest of boys' out-of-door evening amusements is as follows: — One stands with his eyes bandaged and his hands against a wall. Another stands beside him repeating a rhyme, whilst the others come one by one and lay their hands upon his back. Hickety, bickety, pease scone, Where shall this poor Scotchman gang? Will he gang east, or will he gang west; Or will he gang to the craw's nest? When he has sent them all to different places, he turns round and calls: “Hickety, bickety!” till they have all rushed back to the place, the last in returning being obliged to take his place, when the game goes on as before.
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"Hickety Bickety n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 22 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hickety_bickety>