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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CHEESE, n.2 In phr.: to say cheese, to mention; always used with neg. Known to Cai.7, Bnff.2, Abd. correspondents, Ags.2, Fif.10 1939.Abd.13 1910:
Never say cheese. . . . Jist haud yer tongue an' dinna say naething ava.

[Phs. from the Urdū chīz = thing, as in the Eng. slang phrase, the (real) cheese, applied to anything good, which originated among Anglo-Indians (see N.E.D.).]

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