Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HUSH, n.2, v.2 Also husch(ou), hussh; huss(j) (Jak.). Cf. Hish. Freq. form hushel. [hʌʃ]
I. n. A cry used to drive away or frighten birds, etc. (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 85, husch(ou), hussh; Cai. 1902 E.D.D.; Sh., Cai., ne.Sc. (huschou), Uls. 1957). Also used as an int. (Ib.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), huss(j)). Hence combs. huss-kirr!, id. (Jak.); husseka musseka, an exclamation to chase away mice (Ib.).Ags. 1880 A. M. Soutar Hearth Rhymes 22:
Up ilka tree we'd keek a wee, For birdies' nests, ye ken, An' ilka bush wid get a hush In bonnie Battie's Den.
II. v. To scare or drive away birds, etc., by making this noise, to shoo (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 86, husch(ou), hussh; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Cai. 1902 E.D.D.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), huss(j); I.Sc., m.Lth. 1957). Also used fig.ne.Sc. 1714 R. Smith Poems (1869) 36:
Yea thou was husht out to the door, When thou (like Hell) began to roar.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 85:
He wis unco ill aboot the aulest dother, an' soucht her; bit she was unco hehlliefou, an' huscht 'im awa.Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond B. Bowden (1922) xvii.:
Here's Sandy Bowden on Donal's back. . . C'way an' we'll hush Donald [a pony] hame.Abd. 1933 J. H. Smythe Blethers 12:
At lang length, tho', the hin'most bird Wis hushelt doon the stair.
You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Hush n.2, v.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Dec 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hush_n2_v2>
