Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1889-1928, 1990-1992
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CHIEF, Cheef, adj. Intimate, friendly; "thick as thieves" (Cai.9 1939). Gen.Sc. [tʃif]Sc. 1909 Colville 127:
If "by-ordnar thrang," they were reported to be "cheef" or intimate.Abd. 1928 N. Shepherd Quarry Wood xvi.:
Him an' Matty was terrible chief awhile.Ags. 1889 J. M. Barrie W. in Thrums ii.:
I wonder wha'll be to preach the morn — tod, it'll likely be Mr Skinner, frae Dundee; him an' the minister's chief, ye ken.Lth. 1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 199:
He's been comin' to the house, and they're ower chief now for my taste.Edb. 1990 James Allan Ford in Joy Hendry Chapman 59 44:
He wore a heavy tweed suit winter and summer alike, and a brown felt hat inside as well as outside the shop, and looked, as he said himself, more like a laird than a Leither. Worse than that, he was chief with some of the bobbies.Arg. 1992:
He an Duncan McGougan wir very chief at wan time.Kcb. 1894 S. R. Crockett Lilac Sunbonnet xix.:
An' sae ye can tell Bell o' the Manse, gin you an' her are so chief.
